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i 



V 



REMAINS 



HISTORICAL & LITERARY 



CONNECTED WITH THE PALATINE COUNTIES OF 



LANCASTER AND CHESTER, 



PUBLI8HED BY 



THE CHETHAM SOCIETY. 



VOL. XLVII. 



PRINTED FOR THE CHETHAM SOCIETY. 

M.DCCC.LIX. 



• / 



THENE' 

PUBLIC! 


.WORK 

" PA PV 


ASTOH, L' 
TILDf.N R ■ 
1K 


' '-CX *ND 
" DAT ON8. 





COUNCIL for 1858-59. 

JAMEB CROBSLBT, Esy., F.H.A., Pbebidbnt. 

REV. F. a RAINES, M.A., K.B.A., HON. CtKON OF MlKCHWTBB, 
VICB-PrBSIDEKT. 

WILLIAM BHAMONT. 

THE VERY RET. GEORGE HULL BOWERS. ».D ., De*n of MiNCHIHRft. 

REV. JOHN BOOKER, M.A., F.B.A. 

REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A., F.S.A. 

MATTHEW DAWES, F.B.A., F.Q.S. 

JOHN HARLAND, F.&A. 

EDWARD HAWKINS, F.R.S., F.B.A., F.L.8, 

THOMAS HBTWOOD. F.&A. 

W. A. HTJLTON. 

RET. JOHN HOWARD MARSDEN, B.D., CANON OP Manchester, 

DUMBT PBOFEBBOB OS CLiSaiClL AKTigmTIBS, CltfBBlDQE. 
ARTHUR H. HBTWOOD, 1'BBiacBKiL 
WILLIAM LANGTON, HOB. Seceetari-. 




A HISTORY 



OP THB 



9naent Cfjaptl <rf Btrcj), 

IN MANCHESTER PARISH, 

nrOLUDIKQ 

A SKETCH OF THB TOWNSHIP OF RUSHOLME, FOE THB CONVENIENCE 

OF WHICH TOWNSHIP THE CHAPEL WAS 
ORIGINALLY ERECTED : 

TOGETHER WITH 

NOTICES OF THB MORE ANCIENT LOCAL FAMILIES, AND PARTICULARS 
RELATING TO THE DESCENT OF THEIR ESTATES. 



BY THE REV. JOHN BOOKER, M.A., P.S.A., 

OP MAGDALBftB COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, 
CURATE OP A8HUR8T, KENT. 



PRINTED FOR THE CHETHAM SOCIETY. 

M.DCCC.LIX. 



PREFACE. 



The following pages constitute the fifth in a historical 
series of the more ancient Chapels within Manchester 
parish, — the Chapels of Blackley, Denton, Didsbury and 
Chorlton, with their surrounding districts, having been 
already described. 

As in its arrangement the present volume so nearly 
resembles those which have preceded it, nothing is re- 
quired by way of explanation. One single deviation may 
be noticed, namely the addition, in the present instance, of 
an Appendix, containing copies in ewtenso of the original 
documents on which the early history of the township is 
founded ; these, from their variety and interest, seem to 
merit the space assigned to them. 

The author has to acknowledge his obligation to Sir 
John William Hamilton Anson, of Portland Place, Lon- 
don, Bart., and Charles Carill Worsley of The Piatt, 
near Manchester, Esq., for the valuable assistance they have 
afforded in placing at his disposal the stores of information 
contained in the evidences, &c, of their respective families, 



IT PREFACE. 

and which are now for the first time made public To the 
latter gentleman the Members of the Chetham Society are 
indebted for the accompanying portrait of Major-General 
Worsley, which has been engraved expressly for this volume 
from the original at Piatt, the entire cost of its preparation 
having been defrayed by Mr. Worsley. 

The remaining lithographic illustrations are from the 
pencil of Mr. James Croston of Manchester, for whose 
renewed kindness the author's best acknowledgments are 
due. 

Ashuebt, Kent, 
January, 1859. 



LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Birch Chapel --------- Frontispiece. 

Portrait op Major-Gknbral Worslby - page 50 
Sladb Hall ------------ 134 

St. Jambs' Church, Birch - - 158 



BIRCH CHAPEL. 



i 



A HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT CHAPEL 

OF BIRCH, 

(WITHIN RU8HOLME.) 




US HOLME township liea to the south-south-east 
of Manchester, distant from it about two miles and a 
quarter. Its boundaries are, on the north, Chorlton- 
upon-Medlock and a small detached portion of Moss- 
Side; on the south, Withington and Burnage; on 
the east, Newton, Gorton and Levenshulme; and on the west, 
Moss-Side and Withington. 

In was anciently written without much regard to an uniform 
standard of orthography, the several variations Biseholme, Bushe- 
olme, Bushulme, Busholme, Busheholme, Byshome, Bisshome, 
Bissehome, Byssum, Bussum and Buschun occurring, with doubt- 
less other modifications of the word unrecorded. It derives its 
name from the well-known aquatic plant the Rush, the latter syl- 
lable holme signifying in the Anglo-Saxon a flat area of damp 
ground by a river side; and like its neighbour Withington it 
marks by its name the low level of the adjacent lands. Busholme 
is situated upon the new red sand stone formation, the rock being 
generally covered with alluvium varying in depth from a few feet 
to many yards ; the average depth of the rock throughout the 
township is said to be about seven yards, the subsoil of the greater 
portion of the area consisting of brick-clay. The township of 
Busholme contains the several hamlets of Busholme, Piatt, Birch, 
and Longsight. 

B 



2 A HISTORY OF THE 

As a member of Withington manor Rusholme was held in the 
reign of Edward I. by the family of Grelle, lords of Manchester, 
who in turn held the same of Ferrars, Earl of Derby, himself 
tenant in chief of the king. 1 

Prom the inquisition of Robert Grelle in the 10 Edward I, 
(1281) we learn that he died seised of Withington manor, and also 
of Manchester and its church. It appears that sometime pre- 
viously the Grelles had granted to the Hathersage family, in con- 
sideration of one knight's fee, the manor of Withington including, 
as already intimated, the township of Rusholme. 

Matthew, son of Matthew de Hathersage, conveyed a portion of 
this recent grant to Richard de Trafford, namely, the twenty acres 
bordering on Tollache, 2 beginning at the Great Moss in the going 
up to Goslache as far as the boundary of Piatt, and so crossing 
from the bounds of Piatt towards Grenclow-lach, together with the 
right of common pasture in Wyddine, to hold the same of the said 
Matthew to himself, his heirs and assigns, Jews and Ecclesiastics 
alone excepted, 3 by the annual payment of one iron spur or three- 
pence at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the said 
Matthew reserving to himself and his heirs the right of traversing 
the customary road towards Manchester. The date of this deed is 
not given, but as it is clear from the prohibitory clause that the 
statute of mortmain had not then been passed, the time of its exe- 
cution must have been before the year 1224. 

On the death of Matthew de Hathersage the manor of Withing- 
ton passed to Nigel de Longford and Simon de Gousul, in right of 
their respective wives, Maud and Cecilia, daughters and coheir- 
esses of Matthew de Hathersage. In the 11 Edward II. (1317) 
Nicholas de Longford, lord of Withington, confirms to Sir Henry 

1 MathuB de Har'seg tenet unu feodQ milit' in Wythinton de feodo Thorn' le Gretley, 
et ip'e de feodo com' de Ferrar et ip'e in capite de d'no Eege. — Testa de Nevili. 

8 The word lache, of such frequent occurrence in the geographical relations of the 
township, signifies a marshy hollow. 

1 For the cause of this prohibition (exceptis viris religiosis et Judceis) vide History 
of Didtbvry Chapel, Chetham Society's Publications, vol. xlii. p. 121, Note. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 3 

de Trafford the grant of his predecessor. It is described in the 
deed as " a certain tract of waste land," and the bounds are more 
distinctly specified, beginning at the Goslache to the Hunt Lane 
in Piatt, following the king's highway towards the north as far as 
Grenlow-lache, and so descending Grenlow-lache towards the west 
as far as Kemlache, and from Kemlache crossing towards the 
south by the wells and ditch as far as the Yhildhonse ditch, thence 
going up as far as Goslache, and along Goslache as far as the 
aforesaid Hunt Lane in Piatt, which was the boundary first named, 
to hold the same to himself and his heirs by an annual payment 
to the said Nicholas de Longford of seventeen shillings, in equal 
portions at the feast of the Annunciation and on the feast day of 
St. Michael. 

This plot of land, situated near the boundary line which sepa- 
rates the townships of Rusholme and Moss-side, but in the first 
named township, is known as the Healdhouses or Yieldhouses, a 
corruption of Guildhouses, from its former connexion with some 
ancient Guild long since forgotten in its association with the local- 
ity indicated. The unsettled orthography of the name, or rather 
the settled incorrectness it has now assumed, may be traced to the 
variable use of the initial letters G and Y in early times, examples 
of which we have in the words "yeven" for "given/' "yate" for 
"gate," &c. In the reign of Henry III. the name of Roger de Penil- 
bury occurs as lessee of Hathersage and Consul in respect of this 
estate, whose under-tenant was Henry de Trafford. In a deed 
undated, Roger de Penilbury conveyed to Henry de Trafford, the 
true and lawful attorney of Sir Simon de Gousul, the homage and 
service of three shillings, being an annual rent arising from a cer- 
tain tenement in Withington manor called the Gyldehousis, which 
tenement the said Roger holds from Sir Simon. On receiving the 
estate, Sir Simon made an immediate grant thereof to Henry de 
Trafford on the consideration of like services to those rendered by 
the family of Pendlebury. It is described in Sir Simon's grant as 
"le Gyldehousys" lately relinquished by Roger de Penilbury ; and 
the services agreed upon were identical with those formerly ren- 



4 A HISTORY OF THE 

dered by "Henry de Trafford and his ancestors to Roger de Penil- 
bury, who then held the tenement from me and my ancestors/' 
The bounds of the estate are defined by Elias de Fenilbury in a 
contemporaneous deed wherein it is designated " Gildehusestide," 
from Goselache as far as the saplings (pullum), where Matthew, 
the son of William, formed the ditch to convey the water to his 
mill, and descending alongside the said saplings as far as the ditch 
which I myself made, and so alongside that ditch to the moss, 
and from the moss again to the Goselache. Other privileges are 
included, namely those which the free tenants of the aforesaid 
Matthew [de Hathersage] the lord have, as they are found enu- 
merated in the charter received from him touching the lands in 
question. A reservation is made to Matthew and his heirs of a 
right of road to the land of the said Henry for the purpose of 
leading hay. 

In the 11 Edward IT. (1317) Nicholas de Longford, as lord of 
the manor of Withington in succession to Matthew de Hather- 
sage, grants to Sir Henry Trafford and his heirs a right for him- 
self and tenants to dig turves on the Yhildhous Moor, so that 
it may be lawful for him and them to dig and carry away turf 
without hindrance or molestation. From the inquisition post 
mortem of Sir Edmund de Trafford in the 21 Henry VIII. (1529) 
the estate is found still vested in the family, and also at a yet 
later date, the 32 Elizabeth (1589), from the inquisition of his 
grandson. 

Towards the middle of the following century "the Yieldhouses" 
is found in the possession of the Warden and Fellows of Man- 
chester, as appears by indenture dated April 7, 1645, in which 
Richard Heyrick, warden, and the Fellows of the College of Christ 
lease for a term of twenty-one years to Ralph Worsley of Piatt, 
Gent., all that and those their messuage and tenement with the 
appurtenances, called the Yeildhowse, situate in Rusholme, ex- 
cepting therefrom one cottage and two closes of land commonly 
called the Gorse Crofts ; which lease was afterwards renewed from 
time to time, the last grant being dated June 4, 1709. Mr. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 5 

Worsley's tenants for several generations were a family named 
Travis. It is now held on lease by Thomas Holford Esq. from 
the Dean and Canons of Manchester. It consists of farm-build- 
ings, two detached houses (one of which is called Heald House), 
six cottages, and about twenty-two acres of land, Lancashire 
measure. 

The family of Trafford held lands in the township by grant also 
of Matthew de Cissor of Manchester. The conveyance is dated 
the 9 Edward II. (1315), and is to Nicholas, son of the above- 
mentioned Sir Henry de Trafford; the lands and tenements 
therein conveyed are given with remainder, in case of failure of 
issue, to Geoffrey, Thomas, Robert, Richard and Henry, his bro- 
thers, in succession. John Cissor de Mamcestr is an attesting 
witness to a deed conveying the Piatt estate in Rusholme, dated 
1288. 

Another of the early proprietors in the township was Henry de 
Rusholme, who lived about the middle of the thirteenth century, 
deriving his name from the place of his residence, and holding his 
lands of Matthew de Hathersage. 

By a deed undated, but executed probably about the year 1260, 
Henry de Rusholme conveys to Geoffrey, son of Luke de Man- 
chester, certain lands in Rusholme, which are thus described : — 
One messuage &c. situated at the end of his (Henry de Rusholme' s) 
meadow towards the north, near to the Hutte [Hunt] Lane, in 
length fifteen perches and in breadth four perches; also an acre 
of land, one end of which lies contiguous to the messuage just 
referred to, and the other end stretches towards the orchard of 
the said Henry ; an acre of meadow land in Rusholme Meadow ; 
an acre of land, one end of which adjoins the Rusholme Meadow, 
and the other end extends westward to Le Menegate ; half an 
acre of land lying between the parcel just referred to and the 
Goselache ; a ridge or narrow slip of land, called Le Qwikehagged- 
londe, lying between the Goselache and Le Menegate; half an acre 
of land lying between the Hutte [Hunt] Lane and Goselache; six 
acres of land adjoining the land of Hugh de Asselum, and bounded 



6 A HISTORY OF THE 

at either end by Goselacbe and the old ditch ; — to have and to 
hold the same to the said Geoffrey and his heirs by the annual 
payment to Henry de Busholme of a pair of white gloves on 
Christmas Day. — By another deed in the same series, also with- 
out date, but subsequently executed, Henry de Rusholme remises 
and quitclaims to Matthew de Hathersage his lord the homage 
and service due to him from Geoffrey, son of Luke de Manchester, 
in respect of the aforesaid lands. The name of Henry de Rush- 
olme occurs moreover in another deed of the same period, wherein 
he quitclaims to Geoffrey, son of Luke de Manchester, all his right 
in twenty acres of land in Rusholme, which acres he the said 
Geoffrey then held of Robert de Hulton. And there is a further 
record of this same Henry, as granting to Hugh de Haselum in 
return for certain homage and service all that his land which lies 
between the highway in Rushford and the land of the said Htigh, 
together with half a bovate of land in Rusholme; the service to 
consist of an annual tribute of sixpence, to be rendered in two 
equal payments, at the nativity of John the Baptist and the feast 
of St. Michael. 

Lands in the township were also conveyed about this time to 
the neighbouring family of Manchester, whose members were 
grantees of the Hathersages and also intermediately of Henry de 
Rusholme. To the conveyance of the latter family reference has 
been already made. In the 29 Edward I. (1300) William, son- of 
Henry, son of Houlot de Manchester, grants to Jordan, son of 
William de Fallowfield, and his heirs a portion of his lands in 
Rusholme, namely, the three acres bounded on both sides by the 
lands of Henry de Trafford, and extending lengthwise from the 
land of Matilda del Holt to the highway leading to Stockport; 
the same to be held by Jordan and his heirs of the chief lord, on 
payment of three pence annually in two stated payments, namely, 
three halfpence at the feast of the nativity of our Lord, and a like 
sum at the feast of St. John the Baptist, which said sum of three 
pence is part of the annual tribute of fourpence in which the afore- 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 7 

said William is bound to the chief lord for the lands he possesses. 
An adjacent parcel of land formed the subject of another covenant 
between the contracting families named in the deed just recited. 
It is a grant from John de Annacotes [Ancoats] son of Robert de 
Manchester, to Jordan, son of William de Fhllowfield. The lands 
conveyed are described as " all that his part of one plough-land 
called Grenclowe-field lying between the land of Henry de.Trafford 
on the one side, and that of William, son of Henry de Manchester 
on the other side, of which said plough-land one end reaches to 
the king's highway leading to Ince (?), and the other end reaches 
to a plough-land called Le Somer Werkeddeffeld, and also half an 
acre of meadow land situated in Le Brodemedowe bounded on both 
sides by the land of Henry de Trafford, one end of which extends 
to the bank or boundary of the wood called Le Birchenewode and 
the other end extends to Clayffeld." 

Other contemporaneous names are those of Henry de Mosedon 
(? Moston) who about the year 1270 conveyed to Matthew de 
Byrches and his heirs certain water privileges in the Gore brook 
from Halegateford to Rushford ; and Agnes de Honford (Hand- 
ford of Handford in the county of Chester) wife of Henry de Hon- 
ford, who in the 3 Edward II. (1309) made a grant to her son of 
lands in Rusholme, &c., being the same lands which Matilda de 
Holt held in the name of dowry, with remainder to Geoffrey his 
brother. "The marsh of William the Honford" is given as due 
of the boundaries of the Piatt estate some time before the year 
1190, thus indicating a much earlier association with the township. 
The names of Hulton and Haslam also occur in the annals of 
Rushome, but too incidentally to claim further notice. 

Prom the rental of Thomas West, Lord de la Warre, dated May 
1st 1473, we learn that Barton de Bamford held one messuage, &c., 
called " le fforty acres" in Ryssun of the said lord in socage and 
by a yearly rent of one shilling. His descendant John Bamford 
Esquire, described as of Bamford near Middleton and of Holt Hall 
in Withington, died also seised of lands in Rysshome, as appears 



8 A HISTORY OF THE 

from an inquisition post mortem dated the 6 Elizabeth (1563). 
He left an only daughter, Anne, his sole heiress, the wife of George 
Birch of Birch Esquire, by whom the Rusholme and Withington 
estates of the Bamfords were conveyed to the Birch family, the 
Bamford Hall estate descending to a collateral branch and being 
continued to the male line. To this family a more extended refer- 
ence has been made under the head of Withington township. 1 

In the reign of Henry VIII. certain lands in Rusholme were 
held by the family of Beswick. By deed dated 28th June, 22 
Henry VIII. (1530), Roger Beswick grants to Miles Beswick his 
son all those his lands, tenements, &c., situated in Grindlow and 
Rusholme which he lately received from William Heylde, to hold 
the same to him the said Miles, his heirs and assigns, for ever 
from the chief lord, rendering the customary services. 

In the following reign the name Strangeways occurs in the 
annals of the township, though the family never resided there, 
living at Strangeways in Manchester, where they are found as 
early as the reign of Richard II. An indenture made the syxte 
daye of Aprill in the fyfte yere of the regne of o r sovayne Lord 
Edward the Syxte (1552) by the grace of God kyng of England, 
flraunce and Ireland, Defended of the fiaithe, and of the churche 
of England and also of Ireland in erthe supreme head — betwene 
William Strangwayes gentylmaii son and heyre apparant of Phel- 
lippe Strangwayes of Strangwayes in the countie of Lancaster 
escuyer on the one parte and Thomas Byrche of Byrche Hall w4n 
the towne of Wythyngton gentylmaii upon th'oder partye, witness- 
eth that wheare Kataryn late wyffe of Thomas Strangwayes de- 
ceased hathe holdethe or enjoyethe for terme of her lyffe one 
messuage or tenemente w* th'appurtennances and buyldynges 
thereapon made and all the landes, tenementes, medowes, pastures, 
woodes to the same messuage or tenemente belongyng, sett, lyeng 
and beyng in Risshehulme w*in the towneshippe of Wythyngton 

1 Bitiory of Didslury Chapel, Chotham Society's Publications, toI. xlii. pp. 115- 
120. 



* * 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIACH. 9 

in the countie of Lancastre aforesaid and nowe beyng in the 
tenure and occnpieing of one Richard Dyconson and John Dycon- 
son son of the said Richard or of eyther of theym, the revercion or 
remaynder thereof ys to the said Willyam Strangwayes and his 
heyres; the said William Strangwayes for the some of seven 
powndes of lawfull money of England to hym beforehand paid by 
the said Thomas Byrche, dothe bargayne, sell, gyffe and graunt by 
these presentes to the said Thomas Bryche his heyres and assignes 
the forsaid messuage or tenemente and all oder the premisses and 
all the right remaynder of the said messuage or tenemente and all 
the right, tytle, interest and demaunde that the said William hathe 
in the same messuage, to have and to holde the forsaid messuage 
&c. of the said William Strangwayes to the said Thomas Byrche his 
heyres and assignes for ever. In 1575 Katharine Davenport wife of 
Robert Davenport of the New Pale in the county of Chester gent, 
late widow and sometime wife of Thomas Strangweis son and heir 
apparent of Philip Strangweis of Strangweis in the county of 
Lancaster Esquire, for good and lawful considerations, bargained, 
alienated, sold, &c, to George Birche son and heir apparent of 
Thomas Birch of Birch, his heirs, &c., all and every that and those 
messuages, lands, &c., in the township of Withington, now in the 
occupation of John Dicconson of Risholme, late the inheritance of 
the said Philip and now parcell of the jointure of the said Katha- 
rine, which land?, &c., were conveyed by the said Philip to certain 
feoffees to the use of the said Katharine during her natural life 
after the death of the said Thomas Strangweis her late husband. 

This however does not appear to have been a total relinquish- 
ment on the part of the Strangeways family of all connexion with 
Rusholme; they still continued to retain certain estates in the 
township. From an inquisition post mortem, dated the 7 James 
I. (1609), we learn that John Strangwaies had recently died 
seised of lands in Withington manor and in Rusholme, which is 
the last we hear of them in this immediate neighbourhood ; indeed 
about this time their more ancient possessions of Strangeways 

c 



10 A HI8TORY OF THE 

passed out of the family, by purchase, to John Hartley of Man- 
chester, draper, and all further traces of them are lost. 

In the reign of Elizabeth, Edward Tildesley of Tildesley Esquire 
held lands in Busholme. His inquisition post mortem is dated 
the 29 Elizabeth (1586). Ten years earlier he was plaintiff in 
the Duchy Court at Lancaster in a cause against Alexander 
Entwissell Esquire, the matter in dispute being messuages and 
lands in Entwissell manor, Chorlton, Byssheholm, Ardwick and 
Withington. 

In the 80 Elizabeth (1587), as appears from an inquisition post 
mortem of that date, Edward Siddall died seised of estates in 
Biseholme, Withington, Gorton, Manchester and Kersal. This 
individual was the son of Richard Siddall of Withington, yeoman, 
and became the purchaser of the Slade Hall estate, to which 
attention will be hereafter directed. He was buried at the Colle- 
giate Church of Manchester February 20, 1587-8. 

The name of Edmund Prestwich of Hulnie Esquire, whose 
inquisition post mortem, dated the 9 Charles I. (1633), refers to 
certain lands in Busholme as appertaining to himself at the time 
of his death, may serve to complete the enumeration of the more 
ancient possessors of estates in the township not reserved for 
special notice. 

Descending to later times, Busholme was the residence at the 
period of the Commonwealth of a family named Edge. Captain 
£dge, the parliamentary officer by whom the Earl of Derby was 
taken prisoner after the battle of Worcester, was a son of Oliver 
Edge of Birch Hall Houses in the township. Of his capture, 
the earl gives the following account in a letter to his wife : — 
"I escaped a great danger at Wigan, but met with a worse at 
Worcester, being not so fortunate to meet with any [who] would 
kill me, and thereby have put me out of the reach of envy and 
malice. Lord Lautherdale and I, having escaped, hired horses, 
and falling into the enemy s hands were not thought worth killing, 
but have quarters given us by Captain Edge, a Lancashire man, 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. II 

« 

and one that was so civil to me that I and all who love me are 
beholden to him." 1 A passage from the "Memoirs of Captain 
Hodson of Coley," who was present on the occasion, " the place 
being the road about half a mile south of Nantwich," states 
moreover that the captain "was one Oliver Edge." - 

The will of Oliver Edge, the father of Captain Edge, is dated 
December 26, 1635. He describes himself as of the Birch Hall 
Houses in the county of Lancaster, linen webster, and requests 
that he may be buried in the Parish Church or churchyard of 
Manchester. He names his wife Anne Edge, and his children 
Oliver Edge, John Edge, Thomas Edge, Katharine Edge and 
Mary Edge ; also his daughter Elizabeth Knot, whom he states 
himself to have lately preferred in marriage with a valuable por- 
tion. He names moreover his father-in-law Anthony Schofield 
and his loving friend Mr. Thomas Birch of the Birch Hall, Gent., 
the latter of whom and the aforesaid Anne Edge he constitutes his 
executors. He appoints as overseers of his will his loving friend 
Ralph Worsley and his loving brother Thomas Edge. His inven- 
tory is dated January 20, 1635-6. His house was held on lease 
from Sir Humphrey Davenport and Sir Edward Mosley. 

Captain Oliver Edge, the son, makes his will August 29, 1696. 
He describes himself as of Birchall Houses in the parish of Man- 
chester and county of Lancaster, Gent. He names therein his 
son Ebenezer Edge ; the children of his daughter Mary deceased, 
late wife of John Gaythorne, namely Thomas Gaythorne, Anne 
wife of William Thropp, &c. ; his daughter Hannah, wife of Richard 
Bayley; and his reverend and worthy friends Henry Finch of 
Manchester, clerk, and John Chorlton of Manchester, clerk. The 
will was proved at Chester May 21, 1697. 2 

The name of Captain Edge of Birch Hall Houses occurs in a 
li;t of the ratepayers in the township in the year 1655. He was 
buried at the Collegiate Church September 12, 1696. 

1 Civil War Tracts, Chetham Series, p. 311. 
* Cheshire and Lancashire Historical Collector, vol. ii. pp. 30, 31. 



12 A HISTORY OF THE 



tffcge of &u0bolme. 



Edge= 

Oliver Edge of Birch Hall— Anne, dan. of A nthony Schofleld, Thomas Edge, 

living In 1635; executrix of her named in his 



Houses in Rusholme. Will 
dated Dec. 20, 1635. 



husband's wilt brother's wilL 



Oliver Edge of Birch Hall -Anne, dan. of John Thomas Katharine Mary Elizabeth 

Houses, Capt in the Par- Edge, Edge, Edge, Edge, Edge, 

liamentary Army. Will Bur. at ColL living living living living wife of 

dated Aug. 29, 1090. Bur. Ch. June 26, 1036. 1036. 1036. 1036. ... Knott, 

at Coll. Ch. Sept 12, 1090. 1090. living 



1036. 



Ebenexer Edge. Mary Edge, Hannah Edge, 

wife of John wife of Richard 

Gftjthorne. Bayley, living 

Deadinl690. in 1696. 

I 



Thomas daythorne. A nn Gaythorne, 

wife of Thomas 
Thropp. 



The Piatt estate within the township of Busholme was known 
by its present name as early as the twelfth century. Piatt is a 
word which in the Anglo-Saxon language denotes a place or 
station, or more precisely a sheepfold. It gave its name to a 
family seated there for many generations. By a deed undated, 
but probably executed about the year 1150, Matthew, the son of 
William, conveyed the lands of Piatt to the Knights Hospitallers 
of St. John of Jerusalem. This religious order had its origin in 
the taking of Jerusalem by the Crusaders in 1099, when the 
release of the Holy City from Saracen bondage was signalised 
(amongst other deeds of charity) by the restoration of an hospital 
dedicated about fifty years previously to St. John, and designed 
for the reception of Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. This 
hospital, at first but a secular establishment, now became a con- 
vent and its members a religious brotherhood. The pilgrims who 
flocked to Jerusalem from all parts of the world received from the 
Hospitallers so much kindness in the relief of their necessities and 
in the furtherance of the devout object of their mission, that on 
their return to their native land they spread the fame of the fra- 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 13 

ternity far and wide ; and so great a religious fervour was excited 
in its behalf that in all parts of Christendom lands were be- 
queathed to it, and it increased rapidly in wealth as in reputation. 
A branch of this sacred order was, according to Dugdale, first 
•established in England about the year 1100 by Jordan Briset, a 
knight, who erected at Glerkenwell in the suburbs of London a 
house or hospital upon which was lavished the liberality of kings 
and nobles, together with a share of the sequestered revenues of 
the Templars on their suppression in the reign of Edward II. 1 
Amongst these endowments were the lands of Piatt, as already 
intimated, and the bounds of the estate at the time of its transfer 
to the Knights Hospitallers were as follows : — Beginning at the 
Great Ditch, and following that ditch to its lower extremity as far 
as the cross which is cut in the tree ; thence from the said ditch 

1 Monasticon Anglicamtm> vol. vi. p. 799 ; edit. 1830. 

In 1194 Richard L, surnamed Ctaur de Lion, "for the health of the souls of King 
Henry our father and Queen Eleanor our mother, gives and grants to God and the 
Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and to the Blessed John the Baptist, and to the aforesaid 
House of the Holy Hospital of Jerusalem in all their tenements and in alms which 
hath been given them, all right Ac., and that they may be free from all toll Ac. — 
TaanVs History of the Holy, Military, Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, 
toI. iv. Appendix. From the same source we learn what the rules of the order were : 
1. Hospitality for all pilgrims and crusaders, including defence of the Holy Sepulohre 
and this new kingdom (of Jerusalem). 2. A military organisation in three classes — 
clergy, knights and servants at arms. 3. Knights to have all the proofs required of a 
miles — " nullus fit miles nisi Alius militia." 4. The non-regularly professed in the 
order may yet be aggregated to it. 5. Females also. 6. None professed can have any 
property of their own ; but only can expect to be clothed and fed plainly and frugally, 
and freely dedicate their lives. 7. The three rows — celibacy, obedience and individual 
poverty. 8. Celibacy cuts off from most of the domestic ties which are impediments 
to self-devotedness. Obedience, most implicit ; particularly in battle, where with an 
express command they on no pretext whatsoever can retire, but death must be ex- 
pected with heroic fortitude. Their being individually poor means that they re- 
nounce the rights of property, so that the all of each belongs to the common treasury. 
9. Their dress is that they at present wear, the cross white, from their founder being 
a Norman. 10. Each future head is to be selected by the order from amongst them- 
selves, and he is to have a chapter to which he must submit, and on important matters 
convene a general assembly of the order, where he may have a double vote, and then 
the majority decide beyond appeal. 



14 A HISTORY OF THE 

as far as Goselache, and by Goselache up to the road which passes 
between Piatt and Rusholme; thence along this road a9 far as 
the Gore Brook, and alongside the Gore Brook to the Marsh of 
William de Honford, and so onwards to the Great Ditch. 

Some years later, Gamier de Naplouse, grand prior of the English 
Brotherhood of the Knights Hospitallers, made a grant of certain 
lands in Piatt (described as those formerly given to the order by 
Matthew, son of William) to Richard de la More and his heirs. 
Other estates were also included in the grant; the considerations 
specified being that the said Richard and his heirs should make a 
yearly payment of four shillings at the feast of St. Michael, and 
should keep in a state of efficiency on the river Mersey at Runcorn 
the vessel which John the constable of Chester, from love to God, 
had formerly provided for the safe conveyance of those who wished 
to cross the stream ; and that a third portion moreover of the 
chattels of the said Richard and his heirs in succession, at the death 
of each, be reserved to the brotherhood for the good of his soul. 
The date of this deed is 1190 ; l and the grantor took his name from 
Neapolis or Naplouse in Syria, of which city he was a native. He 
was a contemporary of Thomas & Becket. From being grand prior 
of the English branch he became grand master of the entire order on 
the death of Roger de Moulins, and died at Asoalon, after holding 
the office for the short space of one year, of wounds received at the 
battle of Tiberias whilst fighting against the Sultan Saladin. 

Richard de la More was succeeded in his newly acquired estate 

1 Piatt continued to be held subject to the payment of an annual rent of four 
shillings until a comparatively recent period. By an indenture made March 20, 1726, 
between Isaac Green of Liverpool, Gent., lord of the manor of Much Woolton, and 
Charles Worsley of Piatt in the said county, Gent., the said Isaac Green for the con- 
sideration of the payment of six pounds sterling alienates and sells to the said Charles 
Worsley all that annual rent of four shillings issuing out of a certain messuage in 
Withington, called Piatt, where the said Charles Worsley doth now inhabit and dwell, 
and which was formerly in the possession of Ralph Worsley, and which had been 
anciently paid by the said Ralph Worsley, his ancestors or predecessors unto the lord 
or lords of the manor of Much Woolton for the time being by the name of St. John 
of Jerusalem's rent. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 15 

by bis son William, upon whose daughter Cecilia, on her marriage 
with Henry, the son of Gilbert, her father settled one half of the 
lands of Piatt, with remainder to ber heirs for ever ; her husband 
henceforth assuming the name of Piatt, and becoming the progenitor 
of a family seated there for upwards of four centuries. The other 
moiety of the estate was conveyed by the Knights Hospitallers 
through their prior, Elias de Smethton, to Richard, son of Adam de 
Fameworth, and was successively possessed by him and his son 
Robert, the latter being seised thereof in the 8 Edward II. (1314). 
It is described as the same moiety which had been formerly held 
from the Knights Hospitallers by Adam the clerk, and was held 
subject to the payment of an annual sum of four shillings on the 
feast-day of St. Matthew, and a third portion of the chattels of each 
successive owner at his death. 

By his marriage with Cecilia, Henry del Piatt had a son Roger, 
who in the 17 Edward I. (1288) conveyed to Ellen his sister certain 
lands in Piatt, the same which his mother had recovered before the 
king's justices, — bounded by the Thornditch and the Goselache. 
The terms of a covenant concluded in 1324 by this same Roger del 
Piatt and Robert, son of Richard del Piatt (probably his successor), 
are still extant. It relates to a partition of lands in Rusholme. 
It decrees that the pasture which stretches from the dwelling-house 
of Roger to the G-elde Brook shall be shared by both parties to the 
covenant ; that the ditch extending from the village (a vico) as far 
as the Gelde Brook is on the estate of Robert. Roger moreover 
quitclaims to Robert and his heirs all his right and title to the 
parcel of land from the aforesaid ditch to the Gelde Brook between 
the village and the Herneflatt, and grants to him a third part of 
certain other lands the name of which cannot be deciphered, 
together with a butt of land lying in Gosecroft in exchange for other 
land of Robert which lies within the fail of him the said Roger. 
Roger was in turn succeeded by Robert del Piatt, whose relation- 
ship to his predecessor is not clearly defined, although probably one 
of the contracting parties in the covenant just recited. He received 
a grant of land &c. in the 18 Edward III. (1344) from Ellen, the 



16 A HISTORY OF THE 

daughter of Henry del Piatt the younger. This estate is described 
as being situated in Withington manor and consisting of two mes- 
suages, twenty-four acres of arable land and one acre of meadow, 
being the lands which she recovered in a suit with William, son of 
Alexander del Bothe. In another deed she is described as Ellen 
the younger (la puisnesse), the daughter of Henry del Platte the 
younger, to distinguish her from her namesake Ellen, daughter of 
Henry del Piatt the aforesaid and his wife Cecilia, who also is 
found a year earlier (1343) devising the lands she had received in 
1288 from Roger her brother to Richard, son of this same Robert 
del Piatt. Ellen del Piatt the younger was daughter of Henry del 
Piatt the younger, and granddaughter to Geoffrey by his wife Ama- 
bilia ; she became the wife of Alexander del Bothe. Nothing is 
known as to the degree of affinity subsisting between the owners of 
the Piatt estate and their collaterals Geoffrey and his son Henry the 
younger. 

Robert del Platte makes his will on the fast-day of St. Maurus 
the Abbot (January 15) 1360. Like all documents of that early 
period, it is very short. He leaves his soul to God, the Blessed 
Virgin and all the saints, and directs that his body be interred in 
the cemetery at Manchester. He wills that his best beast be led 
before his body in the name of a mortuary, and concludes by ap- 
pointing his son John and his wife Loreta his executors, beseeching 
them to make such a disposition of his goods as may best conduce 
to the welfare of his soul. 

Besides his younger son John, whom he names as his executor, 
Robert del Piatt left other issue : Richard his eldest son, to whom, 
as we have already seen, Ellen del Piatt devised lands in Rusholme; 
Robert, a younger son ; Ellen, the wife of Robert de Milkewalle- 
slade; and Margaret, who was living and unmarried in the 23 
Edward III. (1349). 

Some years before his death, namely in 1349, Robert del Piatt 
had executed a deed fixing the succession to his estates. He limits 
them in the first instance to Richard his son and heir and to the 
heirs of his body lawfully begotten ; with remainder in case of 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 17 

failure of issue, to his younger son John and his heirs ; with remain- 
der to his nephew Robert de Milkewalleelade ; with remainder to 
his nephew John de Milkewalleslade, the two sons of Robert de 
Milkewalleelade by his daughter Ellen ; with remainder to Robert, 
son of Adam de Ferneley of Saddleworth-frith ; with remainder 
to William, son of Edward Heth of Saddleworth-frith; with re- 
mainder to his daughter Margaret; with remainder to the right 
heirs of him the said Robert. 

He was succeeded by his eldest son Richard, whose son John was 
living in the 14th Richard II. (1390), and who it is inferred died 
shortly afterwards, leaving no issue, having outlived his younger 
brother Richard. The estates consequently devolved upon Nicholas 
del Piatt as heir to his father John del Piatt, the younger son of 
Robert, in accordance with the succession-deed of 1949. 

Nicholas del Piatt, on succeeding to the inheritance of his family, 
re-settled his estates in the 14 Richard II. (1390). He limits them 
to himself and his heirs ; with remainder to Alonia his sister, the 
wife of Geoffrey, son of John Edmundson the clerk ; with remainder 
to Emmota, wife of John del Slade ; with remainder to John del 
Piatt the younger, the son of Richard del Piatt, the son of Robert 
del Piatt ; with remainder to the right heirs of the said Nicholas. 
Two years later, certain lands were excepted from the succession 
thus indicated, being then probably held in jointure, one messuage 
called Goscrofthous with two acres of land, and also another parcel 
called the Medhap. The occurrence of the name of John del Piatt 
the younger in this deed is not very intelligible, since, had he been 
then living, or, being dead, had left issue, he or his issue would 
have had a prior claim to the estates as in descent from an elder 
son. At the time of executing this deed Nicholas appears to have 
been either unmarried or without issue, no reference being made 
therein to any direct descendant. In the 3 Henry V. (1415) how- 
ever he makes a more specific disposition of his lands, entailing 
them on his son Richard and Katharine his wife and their heirs. 

At his death he was succeeded by his son Richard, whose wife 

D 



18 A HISTORY OF THE 

Katharine survived her husband, being yet living as his widow in 
the 28 Henry VI. H449), in which year she received from her 
son, then in possession of the Piatt estate, a grant of a house in 
Rusholme, called Goosecroft House, a garden, a barn, and two acres 
of land for the term of her life. Richard del Plait made his will 
September 4, 1439, wherein he commits his soul to Almighty God, 
the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, and his body to the 

worms, to be buried in the parish * 

He desires that whereinsoever he has done amiss or incurred a debt, 
a recompense may, if possible, be made. His debts and legacies 
paid, he wills that the residue and remainder of his personal estate 
(if any such be found) shall be disposed of by his son and executor, 
John Piatt, for the good of his soul. He gives to the church in 
which he shall be buried one noble in gold for his interment ; to his 
confessor or soul's physician, John Richebery, he gives three nobles 
in gold ; to Geoffrey Piatt, his son, forty nobles ; and as to the resi- 
due of his estate he gives full power to his executor, John Piatt, so 
to dispose of it as may best consult his soul's welfare. The will was 
made (as is therein asserted) in testator's house and in the presence of 
John Bichebery his confessor. He died leaving two sons, John his 
successor, and a younger son named Geoffrey. John Piatt, as already 
stated, was executor of his father's will. He was living in the 12 
Edward IV. (1472) ; and six years later his name occurs as one of 
the bondsmen in the marriage-covenant of John Bamford of Bam- 
ford, Gent. He died sometime between that date and 1489. His 
wife's name was Constance, who with her husband appears to have 
been a devout member of the Church. In the Appendix will be 
found a transcript of a Papal Indulgence granted by the minister 
(by which name the head of that house was known) of the house of 
St. Robert of Knaresborough of the order of the Holy Trinity and of 
the Redemption of Captives who are suffering imprisonment at the 

1 The remainder of the sentence is not very clear; as far as the words can be 
deciphered in the original parchment, they are " in pro* Sci S. Samtini foro melius 
Dioo' Maiden." 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 19 

hands of the pagans for their belief in Christ J^ddressed to John 
Piatt and Constance his wife. The document recites the advantages 
accruing to all benefactors to the house (amongst whom it may be 
presumed were John Piatt and his wife), and is endorsed as follows : 
" By the authority of God the Father Almighty, of the blessed saints 
Peter and Paul, His apostles, and by the authority of the whole 
Church and of the Papal Indulgence entrusted to me, I absolve thee 
from all thy sins committed and confessed, as well as from all other 
sins now forgotten, but which thou wouldest wish to confess if they 
did but occur to the remembrance ; and also from all cases in what 
manner soever reserved for the apostolic see, and concerning which 
that Bee ought to be consulted, by the authority of Pope Pius II. 
I absolve thee also in the moment of death, with full remission of 
all thy sins, as far as the keys of the Church extend. This, by 
the authority of these letters apostolic, I grant to thee in the name 
of the Father," &c. 

Letters of affiliation were also granted to John Piatt and Constance 
his wife by James, warden of the Convent of Franciscans or Grey 
Friars at Preston, dated March 8, ] 429, permitting them to make 
choice of a confessor with power of granting absolution for the year 
commencing the 8th of April next ensuing, and granting them gene- 
rally a full participation in all spiritual benefits and advantages ap- 
pertaining to the Order both in life and death ; adding moreover as 
a special favour that whenever an intimation of their deaths shall be 

1 The order of Trinitarians imposed tows of chastity and poverty. They devoted a 
third part of their income to the redemption of Christian captives from infidels* The 
society consisted of three clerks and three laymen in the house, beside the minister, as 
their head was called. Their dress was composed of white woollen vfstments with a 
pilch and breeches, which they were not to put off in bed. In the " Specimen Mona- 
chologire," the costume is a hemispherical tonsure, a fillibeg, white woollen tunic tied 
with a black thong, a loose white hood with a short round pectoral hanging before, a 
longer pointed dorsal behind. A close scapulary shorter than the tunic. A mantle 
and hood, beside that of the tunic. The scapulary and left side of the mantle marked 
with a red and blue cross. A shirt and woolleu vest. — Fosbroke's British l£onachi*m t 
pp. 73, 289. 



20 A HISTORY OF THE 

conveyed to the provincial chapter of the order, the same services 
shall be performed for them as are customarily performed for the 
brethren at their decease. 1 

Constance Piatt survived her husband, and her name occurs asso- 
ciated with that of her son Richard, in a deed dated 5 Henry VII. 
(1489), confirming to one William Adshead a dwelling-house situa- 
ated in the Milne-gate in Manchester, lying between the tenement 
of John Bradford on the one side and the tenement of the aforesaid 
Richard which is now in the occupation of the wife of Nicholas 
Shelmerdine on the other side, extending from the highway to the 
river Irk. They appoint Thomas Bradford, chaplain and vicar of 
the college of Manchester, and Henry Leylond, their true and law- 
ful attorneys to give seisin. This deed possesses additional interest 
as defining the exact place of residence of the family of Bradford, 
and possibly the birthplace of the martyr himself. 

Richard Piatt, the son and heir of John Piatt and Constance his 
wife, succeeded his father. Of himself and of his further connexions 
nothing has been ascertained. He was living, as we have just seen, 
in the 5 Henry VII. (1489), and later in the 9 Henry VII. (1493). 
He may have been the father of John Piatt who succeeded him in 
the Piatt estate, but this is only conjecture. 

John Piatt, the next in succession, was living November 20, 
1532, when he was named as one of six trustees in a deed of feoff- 
ment executed by Geqrgq Birch of Birch, Gent. • In the 2 Edward 
VI. (1548) he conveyed to his younger son William a certain mes- 
suage near Rusholme Green, and an acre and a half of land called 
the Croft. He died sometime before the year 1 553, leaving Jane 

1 The Franciscans or Grey Friars were bo called from their habit, a long grey coat 
reaching to their heels, with a hood and a girdle of cord. They were to liaye no pro- 
perty, and were not to take money but necessaries only as rewards of their labours. 
They fasted from All Saints to Christmas (besides Lent from Epiphany) and at other 
times on Fridays. They were to beg lustily (confidenter) and their tunics were full 
of pockets for receiying edibles, &o., for they were called mendicants because pretend- 
ing to erangelioal perfection, and begged from door to door. — Fosbroke's British 
MonachUm, pp. 78, 288. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 21 

his widow (formerly the wife of James Lawrence of Manchester 
deceased) whose jointure consisted of two messuages and two closes 
of land, The Hall Field, and The Brucke Field, in Rusholme, in 
the respective occupation of Margaret widow of Edmund Duncuth- 
ley and Ralph Duncuthley. He was succeeded by his elder son 
Richard, who in the first year of Queen Mary's reign must have 
become reconciled to the ancient faith, if indeed his forefathers had 
ever renounced it. In 1555 a participation in the masses, prayers, 
preachings, fastings, abstinences, watchings, and other labours of the 
convent of the order of Preaching Friars at Chester was accorded to 
him and Annes (in all probability his first wife) by Brother Matthew 
the prior of that order, as also such masses and prayers for the salvation 
of his soul after his decease as are customarily offered for the souls 
of departed brothers and friends. 1 He died June 2, 1593, and was 
buried the day following at the Collegiate Church, Manchester. 
His inquisition post mortem was held at Wigan September 10, 
1593, before Thomas Hesketh escheator for the county palatine, 
Robert Pilkington Esq., James Worthington Gent., and Ralph 
Haughton Gent., on the oath of Thomas Lane Esq., Robert Hindley 
Gent., Roger Bradshaw Gent., John Dewhurst Gent., Thomas Mark- 
land Gent., William Ascroft Gent., Miles Gerrard Gent., and Thomas 
Tarlton Gent. The jurors affirm on their oath that the said Richard 
Piatt the day before his death, was seised in his demesne as of fee, 
of and in one messuage, twenty-eight acres of arable land, two acres 
of meadow, and ten acres of pasture, within Rusholme in the manor 
of Withington, and also of one house and garden in Manchester ; 
and that being thus seised he had on the 15th day of December 
1576 granted a part of the aforesaid lands to a certain Elizabeth 
Piatt widow, late the wife of John Piatt now deceased, by the name 
of Elizabeth Birch, for the term of her life, which said Elizabeth is 
yet living and residing in Rusholme. And further they say that on 
the 4th day of August 1 590 the said Richard made his will, in which 
he gave to Isabella Piatt his wife one cottage, fourteen acres of 

1 Preaching Friars, or Jacobites, as they were sometimes called. 



22 A HISTORY OF THE 

meadow and pasture land, and one field containing half an acre, all 
in Busholme aforesaid, to be held for the term of her natural life. 
A nd further they affirm that the aforesaid messuage and lands &c. 
in Rusholme are held and at the time of his decease were held from 
the Queen as of the late Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Eng- 
land 1 by the payment of an annual rent of four shillings and a cer- 
tain portion of the chattels of each successive tenant at his death ; 
and are worth twenty-six shillings and eightpence per annum : and 
that the aforesaid house and garden in Manchester are held of the 
lord of Manchester in socage by the payment of an annual rent of 
twelve pence and are worth two shillings per annum. They say 
moreover that the aforesaid Richard Piatt died on the second day of 
June last past and that Edmund Piatt is his son and heir, and is, at 
the holding of this inquisition, of the age of eight years eight months 
and twenty-seven days ; and they say further that the said Richard 
Piatt had no other messuages, lands or tenements. His wife Isabel 
survived him, and dying in 1617, was buried (November 24) at the 
Collegiate Church. Of his three children, John, the eldest, married 
in December 1576 Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Birch of Birch, 
Gent., but died in his father's lifetime, leaving no issue. The estates 
consequently devolved upon Edmund the younger son, who at his 
father's death was still in his minority, his guardian being his kins- 
man Thomas Birch of Birch, Gent , as appears from the will of the 
latter proved at Chester in 1595. He was twice married, having 
issue by his first wife, who died in January 1618, John his son and 
heir, Richard his younger son, and a daughter named Isabel. His 
second wife Joane survived him, and was living a widow in 1633. 

1 The order of St. John of Jerusalem had now ceased to exist in this country. In 
1539 a bill was brought into parliament to Test in the crown all the property of 
religious houses. The site of the priory was granted in the 38 Henry VIII. (1546) 
to John Viscount Lisle, and a great part of the church, with the fine beU tower, was 
blown up in the 3 Edward VI. (1549). An effort was made to re-establish tbe order 
by Philip and Mary, who repaired the house and restored many of the old estates, 
but it was finally suppressed in the first year of Elisabeth (1558). Dugdale*s Mono*- 
ticon Angliqanum, vol. vi. p. 799. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 23 

Edmund Piatt was the last of his family who resided at Piatt. 
The estate, at first mortgaged, was in 1 625 sold to Ralph Worsley of 
Manchester, yeoman. 

By indenture dated December 31, 1623, between Edmund Piatt 
of Piatt in Withington in the county of Lancaster, Gent., upon the 
one part, and Raphe Worsley of Manchester in the said county, yeo- 
man, upon the other part. It is witnessed that the said Edmund 
Piatt, for certain considerations, grants, bargains, sells, enfeoffs and 
confirms unto the said Raphe Worsley his heirs and assigns for ever, 
all that capital messuage or dwelling house situate and being in 
Rushulme in the aforesaid county of Lancaster, wherein the said 
Edmund Piatt doth now inhabit and dwell, commonly called and 
known by the name of The Piatt, and also all and singular those 
closes, clausures, fields and parcels of land, commonly called the 
Kiln Croft, the Broad Croft, the Long Eyes, the Short Eyes, the 
Pingot, the Pike End, the Black Flatt, the Great Brook Field, the 
Little Brook Field, the Middope, the Hall Field, the Hall Croft, 
and the Stony Lands, containing by estimation forty and four acres 
of land or thereabouts, according to the measure there used, lying or 
being in Piatt and Withington aforesaid. 

The above deed was a mortgage on the estate, with power of 
redemption to the said Edmund Piatt up to January 20, 1625, the 
sum advanced by Ralph Worsley being i?420 6s. By indenture 
between the same parties, dated January 26, 1 625, Ralph Worsley 
pays to Edmund Piatt the additional sum of i? 129 14s., being in all 
£550, and the estate was finally conveyed to the Worsleys without 
further power of redemption. Portions of the estate were, at the 
time of its transfer, under lease to George Travis and Thomas Shel- 
merdine. By a bond dated January 25, 1625-6, Edmund Piatt 
pledges himself and his family " peaceablie and quietlie to flitt, re- 
move and depart out of and from all that capitall messuage or dwell- 
ing house called The Piatt. 1 ' He retired to Blaokley, where he died 
shortly afterwards, and all further traces of the family were lost. 



24 



A HISTORY OF THE 



$Iatt of $latt 



Gilbert, father of Henry del Platt- 

Henry del Piatt. •Cecilia, dan. of William de la More. 



f 



A 



Roger del Piatt, Elena del Piatt Devises certain lands to Richard, son 
17 Edw. I. (1288). of Robert del Piatt, which had been enfeoffed to her by 

Roger del Piatt 17 Edw. III. (1343). 



Robert del Piatt,— Loreta, dan. of , 
23 Edw. III. (1346). I Living 1360. 

Will dated 1300. 



Richard del Piatt,- 
son and heir, 23 
Edw. III. (1348). 
Devisee of his 
kinswoman Elena 
del Piatt 



del 



John del Piatt, 
23 Edw. III. 
(1349). Exe- 
cutor of his 
father's wilL 
Living 1374. 



Robert 

del 
Piatt. 



Elena del Piatt, 
wife of Robert 
de Mllkewalle- 
slade 23 Edw. 
111. (1349). . 
I 



Margaret 
del Piatt, 
23 Edw. 
111.(1349). 



Robert de Milkewalle- John de M ilkewalle- 
slade, son and heir, slade, 23 Edw. III. 
23 Edw. III. (1349). 



John del Piatt, Richard del Piatt, Nicholas del Piatt,- Adam del Piatt, Aloniadel Piatt, 



living 14 Ric II. living 46 Edw. III. 14 Ric II. (1390), 



(1390). 



(1374). 



3 Hen. Y. (1416). 



48 Edw. III. 

(1374). 



I 



wife of Geoffrey 
Edmundson, 
living 7 Ric. II. 

(1383). 



Richard del Piatt, 3 Hen. V. (141 5). -Katharine, dan. of 

Dead 18 Hen. VI. (1439). Will dated I Living 3 Hen. V. (1415) 
Sept 4, 1439. I and 28 Hen. VI. (1449). 



i>, 



John Piatt, executor under his— Constance, dan. of 

father's will. Living 12 Edw. IV. I Living 1466 

(1472>; d ead 5 Hen. V JI. (1489). | and later in 1493. 

Richard Piatt, son and heir,— 
living 1489. • 



Geoffrey Piatt, 
living 1439; 
named in his 
father's will. 



J 



John Piatt of Rnsholme, Gent.,— Jane, widow of James Lawrence 
3 Edw. VI. (1648). Dead 1663. of Manchester. 



Annes (?) .... 
Living 1666. 



•Richard Piatt of Piatt, Gent,— Isabel, dan. of 

19 Elizab. (1676). Inq.p.m.S5 Living 

Elizab. (1693). Bur. at Coll. 1593. Bur. at 
Ch. June 3, 1593. Will dated Coll. Ch. Nov. 
Aug. 4, 169a _ 24,1617. 



William Piatt, - 
younger son, 2 
Edw7Vl.(1548). 
Bur. at Coll. Ch. 
March 17, 1696. 



William Piatt, John Piatt 

son and heir, Rapt at Coll. 

Bapt at Coll. Ch. Sept. 7, 

Ch. June 28,1583. 1694. 



Elizabeth Piatt Bapt at 
Coll. Ch. May 9, 1682. Wife 
of William Worsley; marr. 
at Eccles Nov. 22, 1601. 



John Piatt, • 
son and heir. 
Bur. at Coll. 
Ch. June 22, 
1687, in vit. 
pat 



» Elizabeth, dan. of 
Thomas Birch of 
Birch, Gent Mar- 
riage Settlement 
dated Dec 16, 1676. 
Living a widow 
1692. 



Elizabeth, -Edmund Piatt, -Joane, 



dan. of 

Bur. at 
Coll. Ch. 
Jan. 9, 
1617-18. 



A 



An Infant. 
Bur. at 
Coll. Ch. 
Jan. 9, 
1617-18. 



younger son but dau. of 

heir to his fa- 

ther , aet. 8 in the Living 
35 Elizab. (1692). a widow 
Sold the Piatt 
estate to Ralph 
Worsley 1625. 



Margaret Piatt, 
living unmar- 
ried 1670. 



1633. 



John Piatt, 
son and heir. 
BaptatColl. 
Ch. Oct 14, 
1606-7. 



Richard Piatt 
Bapt at Coll. 
Ch. April 6, 
1613. 



Isabell Piatt 
Bapt at Coll. 
Ch. Nov. 17, 
160L 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 25 



The Worsleys of Piatt claim descent from Elias de Workesley, 
lord of Worsley, a Crusader, who, attending Robert Duke of Nor- 
mandy in his expedition to the Holy Land, after many triumphs 
over the infidels, died at Rhodes and was buried there. A pedigree 
given in the Harl. MSS. (2100, fo. 32) "collected," as it states, "from 
deeds of y e auntient family of Worsley of Worsley," derives them 
from this source,- and connects with the ancient stock Nicholas 
Worsley of Manchester, the scion with whose name the pedigree 
commences which was submitted to Sir William Dugdale at the 
Lancashire Visitation of 1664. 

Nicholas Worsley is described as son and heir of Otes Worsley of 
Newham Green near Worsley, by Oiceley, daughter of Nicholas 
Bigby of Harrock. He was residing in Manchester in 1598. His 
younger son Charles followed the trade of a linen draper, and, pros- 
pering in business, purchased certain lands in Rusholme in 1614, as 
the following abstract testifies: — By indenture dated March 31, 
1614, Oswald Mosley of Manchester, Gent., for and in consideration 
of the sum of .£280, bargained, aliened, sold, &c, to Charles Wors- 
ley of Manchester, linen draper, all those tenements, lands, &c, in 
Rusholme late in the tenure of Richard Birch and George Birch his 
grandson, known by the several names, the Wheatfield, the Croft, 
the Breadie Buttes or Breadie landes, the Banke, the Hobearthe, the 
Withens, the Ouldearthe, the Barnelanton, the fourth part of the 
Houlgate Meadow, the Acre, the Half-acre, and the Seaven Falls 
(which three last parcels are situate in the Rusholme Meadow). No 
acreage is given to the lands thus conveyed. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Raph Gee of Manchester and sister of Alice Clark, wife 
of George Clarke, the munificent founder of the Charity in Manches- 
ter which bears his name, and dying in 1641 left issue, Raph, his 
son and heir ; Edward, his second son, who married and resided in 
Withington ; Cicely, wife of John Brownsword of Manchester ; and 
Alice, wife of Thomas Bolton of Salford, yeoman. 1 

1 By indenture made February 7, 1615, between Thomas Boulton of Salford in the 
county of Lancaster, yeoman, upon the one part, and George Gee of Leigh in the said 



26 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

Baph Worsley, eldest son of the aforesaid Charles, was born in 
1592. He married first Isabel, daughter and heiress of Edward 
Massey of Manchester, Gent., and widow of Alexander Ford of 
Wigan, Gent. 1 The marriage-settlement is dated January 11, 1620, 

county of Lancaster, clerk, and Edward Worsley of Manchester in the county afore- 
said, chapman, upon the other part, It is witnessed that the said Thomas Boulton, for 
and in consideration of a marriage already had and solemnized between him the said 
Thomas Boulton and Alice his now wife (daughter of Charles Worsley of Manchester 
aforesaid, yeoman) and for a convenient and sufficient jointure to be had and made 
unto or for the said Alice out of the lands Ac. of the said Thomas Boulton, doth cove- 
nant, grant and fully agree to and with the said George Gee and Edward Worsley, 
that he the said Thomas Boulton shall and will on this side and before the feast of 
Easter next ensuing after the day of the date hereof lawfully and sufficiently convey 
to the said George Gee and Edward Worsley all that the barn with the appurte- 
nances, situate in or near adjoining to a certain street or lane in Salford called the 
Gravel Hole, together with the garden, croft, or parcel of land at the back of the 
said barn, and all the closes and parcels of land with their appurtenances, lying in 
Salford aforesaid, called by the several names of the Wheat-croft, the New Intack, 
the Hanging Meadow, the Hall Cliff, the Dole, or parcel of land lying at the back of 
the now dwelling-house of Anne Bradshaw, widow, and the Dole or parcel of land 
lying at the back of the now dwelling-house of George Ouldam, — to the immediate 
use of the said Thomas Boulton and his assigns for and during his natural life ; and 
from and after the death of the said Thomas Boulton, then to the use of the said Alice 
(now wife of the said Thomas Boulton) and her assigns for her natural life ; and from 
and after the death of the longer liver, then to the use and behoof of the heirs males 
of the body of the said Thomas Boulton lawfully begotten and to be begotten upon 
the body of the said Alice his now wife ; and in default of such issue, then to the use 
and behoof of the heirs and assigns of the said Thomas Boulton for ever. 

1 The family of Massey had resided in Manchester for some generations. From 
the presentment of the jurors at the Court Lcet, held October 4, 1558, we find that 
"Katherine, late wyffe of Hamnet Massey is deceased since the last court daie, and 
that Handle Massey her sonne is her heire and at lawfull age and rcadie at this present 
to take his oath and doe the lord servisse according to the custome of this mannor" 
&c Handle Massey died, as appears from the same source, in the last year of the 
reign of Elizabeth, leaving Edward his son and heir of full age. Edward, son of 
Bandle and grandson of Hamnet, married first in 1586 (marriage settlement dated 
May 12 in that year) Anne, daughter of . . • . . . and secondly Margaret, daughter of 

who was living a widow in 1625. By his first wife he had issue, Joel, living 

in 1608, and Isabel married (1.) Alexander, son and heir of William Ford of Swyndley 
Woodhouses in the parish of Wigan, Ghent, (marriage settlement dated October 28, 
1617), and (2.) Baph Worsley of Piatt, Gent., as above. The residence of the Masseya 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 27 

the trustees named therein being Charles Worsley of Manchester, 
yeoman, Edward Massie of Manchester, Gent., George Clarke of the 
same, haberdasher, and John Dawson of the same, yeoman. The 
issue of this marriage was Charles, the eldest son and heir, of whom 
we shall hereafter have more particularly to speak ; Edward, rector 
of Bunton in the county of Norfolk and of Letheringsett in the same 
county; and George, of Blakestake in the parish of Manchester. His 
second wife (married in 1629) was Elizabeth, daughter of George 
Walker of the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne and widow of John 
Booth of Manchester, 1 by whom he had the following issue : Baph, 
of Pembroke College, Oxford, parson of Macclesfield in the county 
of Chester, and in 1668 vicar of Egmanton in the county of Notts ; 
and Elizabeth, married to the Rev. Joseph C> tiwell, parson of Aston 
in the county of Chester and of Ellesmere in the county of Salop. 
By his third wife Martha, daughter of George Siddall of Milke* 
walleslade, Gent., he had no issue. 

At his father's death he succeeded to the business, and contributed 
much to the prosperity of the family. He had, for the period, exten- 
sive dealings with weavers residing in the villages around Man- 
chester, to whom he entrusted yarn for the purpose of having it 
woven into cloth, afterwards disposing of the same at his shop in 
Manchester. In 1625 he was enabled to add to his father's original 
purchase of lands in Rusholme by annexing thereto the Piatt estate, 
which henceforth became the distinguishing abode of the family. 

was "in the Mil negate necre unto a streete comonly called Toad Lane," where they 
were lessees of the Platts of Kusholme. 

1 By this marriage an estate in Moston, the purchase of her deceased husband John 
Booth from the family of Street, was conveyed to the Worsleys, in whose representa- 
tive it is now Tested. Letters of administration of her late husband's effects were 
granted to Elizabeth Booth his widow April 9, 1629, and from an inventory dated 
July 6 it is seen that John Booth followed the same trade as did Raph Worsley, 
several weavers whose names are given, residing in the villages of Moston, Newton 
and Blackley, being in his debt at the time of his decease to the amount of £838 
17s. 9d. for yarn supplied to them. The issue of her first marriage with John 
Booth consisted wholly of daughters — Elizabeth, Martha, wife of John Stonehewer 
of Manchester, Sarah and Mary, the latter of whom became the wife of her after- 
wards celebrated step-brother Charles Worsley. 



28 A HISTORY OF THE 

From many memoranda still remaining he was evidently a man of 
considerable intelligence, of great energy and of active business 
habits. Tn his later years, having retired from business, he found 
occupation in managing his estate and in superintending the trusts 
reposed in him by others in the many executorships and trusteeships 
he was solicited to undertake. In the contentions which marked 
the reign of Charles the First he took sides with the parliament and 
approved of their deeds, and, as appears from the journals of the 
House of Commons of this period, was a member of the parliamentary 
sub-committee of accounts sitting at Manchester in May 1648. He 
died November 6, 1669, at an advanced age, having lived to see the 
monarchy restored. His will is dated September 1, 1668, and is as 
follows : — In the namexrf God, amen. This first day of September 
in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred three score 
and eight, I, Baph Worsley of Piatt within Bushulrae within 
Withington in the county of Lancaster, Gent., being in health of 
body and in good and perfect memory, praised be God, knowing 
death to be certaine but the houre and time of it most uncertaine, 
doe constitute, ordain e and make this my last will and testament 
in manner and forme followinge — To witt, ffirst and principally, I 
comend my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator and 
Maker, and my body to the earth, to be buried in Christian maner 
att the discretion of my executors hereafter named ; and as concern- 
inge such worldly goods and chattells as God of His great goodnesse 
hath bestowed upon mee, it is my will and mind that all my debts, 
funerall expenses, and all other some or somes of money which my 
executors may have cause to lay out about the execution of this my 
last will and testament, may be paid forth or out of my whole goods, 
debts and chattels. Item it is my will and mind that that some of 
one hundred pounds of lawful money of England which my loving 
wife Martha Worsley before her marriage with me agreed to accept 
in full discharge and satisfaction of what my said wife may challenge 
or demand att or after my decease out of all or any of my lands, 
goods, debts or chattels, may be paid to my said wife by my exe- 
cutors hereafter named, within three months next after my decease. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 29 

Item I doe give and bequeath unto my only daughter M" 8 Eliza- 
beth Ottiwell, in lewe of her portion or child's part of all my goods, 
debts and chattels, the sum of <£200 of lawful money of England. 
Item I doe give and bequeath unto my loving sonne Mr. Edward 
Worsley of Letheringsett in Norfolke one hundredth pounds of law- 
ful money of England, in full of his portion. Item I doe give and 
bequeath unto my youngest sonne Mr. Raph Worsley of Egmenton 
in the countie of Nottingham the sume of «£50 of lawful money of 
England, in full of his portion. Item I give and bequeath unto my 
granchild Raphe Worsley, sonne and heire of my deare deceased 
sonne Mr. Charles Worsley, my bed-stid and presse in the greate 
chamber of my dwelling-house att Piatt, the cheese-presse in the 
brew-house, with the stone trough under it, the best meale-arke and 
the greate arke in the barne. Item I give and bequeath unto my 
sonne George Worsley the sum of £ 20 of lawful money of England, 
in full payment, satisfaction and discharge of his filial portion or 
child's part of all my goods, debts and chattels, or of what sume or 
sumes of money my said sonne George Worsley maye in any kind 
claime, challenge or demande out of my goods, debts and chatties, in 
regard I have heretofore given unto my said sonne George Worsley 
and duly paid the same a very considerable portion of £200, as my 
said sonne very well knoweth, besides other valuable considerations. 
Item I give and bequeath unto my granchild Raph Worsley, sonne 
and heire of my aforesaide sonne Mr. Charles Worsley deceased, my 
messuage and tenement called the Yeildhouse for and during all 
such terme and interest as I have in the same, my said granchild 
paying, doing and performing all such rents, taxes and reperations 
as may be chargeable upon the same during the said term and time. 
Item I doe give and bequeath unto my granchild Charles Worsley, 
younger sonne of my aforesaid sonne Mr. Charles Worsley, £20 y to 
be paid to my said granchild by my executors within one month 
after my said granchild shall accomplish the age of twenty-one 
yeares, if he be then living. Item I doe give and bequeath unto 
my loving wife Martha Worsley all my lands or ground in Levens- 
hulme in the tenure and occupation of Thomas Broome carrier, and 



80 A HISTORY OF THE 

that ffee forme yearly rent of thirty-nine shillings and eightpenoe 
issuing forth or out of one messuage and tenement heretofore in the 
tenure and occupacon of John Alexander and William Birch or their 
assignes, within Grindlow aforesaid, to have and to hold the said 
land or ground and the said yearly rent of thirty-nine shillings and 
eightpence unto my said wife for and during the terme and time of 
her naturall life, if shee my said wife doe soe long keep her self chart 
and not maried to any other man, and not otherwise, my said wife 
yielding, paying and performing all such rents, lays and taxations as 
may be chargeable upon the same during the said terme and time. 
Item it is my will and mind that forasmuch as I might leave onto 
my wife a considerable joynture out of my lands at Piatt for and 
during the time of her natural life, but am not willing soe much to 
prejudice my granchild Ralph Worsley, who is to succeed me, yet it 
is my will and mind that my said granchild Raph Worsley or whom- 
soever may come to have that estate after me, shall and may allow 
and provide that my said wife may have sufficient meate and drinke 
fitting for her at Piatt, and the chambers at Piatt wherein my de- 
ceased sonne Mr. Charles Worsley and Martha Worsley were accus- 
tomed to lye, for and during the naturall life of my said wife, if my 
said wife do so long keep her self chast and unmaried to any other 
man, and will be pleased therewith ; but if that hereafter there should 
any difference or dislike grow betwixt my said wife and my said 
granchild Raph Worsley, it is then my will and mynd that my said 
granchild Raph Worsley shall pay unto my said wife the full and 
just sum of £4i of lawful money of England yearely during the 
natural life of my said wife (if she live so long chast and unmaried) 
in lewe of her diet and chambers at Piatt as is aforesaid, and then 
my said wife to provide for her self as she seeth good. Item I give 
and bequeath unto my sonne George Worsley all that time, terme 
and interest that I have in one messuage with the appurtenances in 
or neare a certain street in Manchester there called the Marketstid- 
lane, which was granted unto me by one Thomas Walker of Dids- 
bury and others for several years yet unexpired. Item I do give 
and bequeath unto my granchild Charles Worsley aforenamed the 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 31 

sum of £40 of lawful money of England, to be paid unto the said 
Charles Worsley within one month after he shall accomplish the 
age of twenty-one years by his brother Baph Worsley forth of the 
rents of one messuage in Manchester, there called the Smithy-doore, 
in the holding of one Robert Johnson and others ; and if the said 
•040 be not paid to my said granchild at the time aforesaid either by 
my granchild Baph Worsley or by who ever may hold the said mes- 
suage at that time, in that cause it is my will and mynd that if the 
said sum of £40 as aforesaid be not paid to my granchild Charles 
Worsley at the time aforesaid, in that cause it is my will that my 
granchild Charles Worsley shall receive the rents, issues and profits 
of that messuage w^ the appurtenances until my said granchild 
Charles Worsley may have received to his own use the said sum of 
£40 over and above all vents issuing out of that messuage, charges 
and reprises, and no longer. Item it is my will and mind, and I 
do hereby devise, give and bequeath all the rest and fesidue of my 
goods, debts and chattels not herein formerly disposed of, if there be 
any remaining, to and amongst my three sons Mr. Edward Woreley, 
George Worsley, Mr. Baph Worsley, and my daughter M"* Eliza- 
beth Ottiwell, to be divided amongst them four by even and equal 
portions ; and if any of my sons or doughter be refractory and not 
well content with this my disposition, but contradict the same or go 
about to make frustrate the same, it is my will and mind that he or 
they which shall so do shall be wholly deprived of what is given to 
him or them by this my last will and testament, and what is hereby 
bequeathed unto him or them that are not well content with this 
my disposal shall be equally divided amongst them that are content 
with this my disposition. And lastly, I do hereby disannul, make 
frustrate and voide all former and other last wills, guifts, legacies 
and bequests which I may heretofore have formerly made, given and 
bequeathed ; and I do hereby ratify and confirm this for my last 
will and testament ; and for the execution thereof, I do hereby no- 
minate and appoint my loving son George Worsley and my loving 
granson Baph Worsley aforesaid executors of this my last will and - 
testament, intreating them to see this my will and mind in all points 



32 A HISTORY OF THE 

performed, as ray trust is that they will do. In witness whereof I 
have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above 
written. Witnesses: William Jackson, Baph Fletcher, Baph 
Livesey. Proved at Chester November 26, 1669. 

The inventory of Baph Worsley, Gent., is dated November 14, 
1669. The total value of his goods and chattels is estimated at 
£1261 6s. lid., and includes under their several heads the following 
items : — 

Stock and Farm produce : — 

Thirteen cowes, one w* anoth' at 3 U 0» d a peece 39 00 

One bull calfe 01 10 

Onebull 02 10 

One calfe 00 15 

The blind horse and blacke maire 02 10 

Baymaire 03 00 

Afilly 05 10 

Gray maire 05 00 

The pacinge horse 01 10 

Tow great hogges 03 00 

Three young shoates 03 00 

In hay 20 00 

In oates thresht and unthresht 10 00 

In barley and beanes unthresht 07 00 

In the Hall : — 

A lookeinge glasse 00 00 06 

Tow tables, tow fformes, and tow course stooles.. 01 08 00 

Three seeld chaires 00 18 00 

One ould clocke, one ould habbeard 00 06 00 

One ould ffire iron 00 05 00 

In the Great Parlor : — 

One standing bed 01 10 00 

In curtaines, valandes, rodds and ringes 00 13 04 

One ffeather bed, tow boulsters and tow pillowes 02 12 00 

The Buttry : — 

Tow barrills with drinke in y» one ould barrill 00 16 00 



f 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 83 

A bread losset [flat wooden dish] tow costrills 

[wooden bottles] tow kimnells [tubs] 

12 trenchers, a swirt, &o 

The Milke House : — 
The Womans Parlor : — 
The Little Parlor : — 
The Brewhouse : — 

One washing range 00 02 00 

Three milking piggins, one sigh [sieve or strainer] , . 

one brass scimmer 00 02 08 

The Eitchin with Bessy Parlor : — 

An hundred ffifty three poundes of pewter att 

eleven pence y e pounde came to 07 00 03 

An hundred ffifty seaven pounde of brasse att 7 d 

a pounde 04 02 04 

In three skellits [brasspots] 00 03 00 

The kneading turnell [trough] and board under 

it 00 01 06 

One paire of gobertes [racks for chimnies] one 
brundrith [an iron tripod fixed over the fire 

on which a pan or kettle is placed] &c 00 13 00 

One lanthorne, an hour glasse, bellowes 00 01 08 

The Drinke house :— 

Tow ranges, one tundish and an hose 00 04 00 

One ffaire brewing keare [mash-tub] with the 

thro it stands on 00 10 00 

The Cheese Chamber : — 

In the worser sort of cheese 01 19 08 

In the better sort of cheese 02 04 00 

The Arke Chamber : — 
The Boarde Loft : — 

fforty six yards of inch boards and an halfe 00 19 02 

Sixteene yardes and halfe of ash boards 00 04 08 

Eleven yards of ratchmentes 00 02 08 

p 



34 A HISTORY OF THE 

The Little Chamber : — 

One standing Bed; 71 poundes of ffeather bed 

tieke after 8 d a pound 03 0104 

The Generally Chamber : — [the whole contents given] 

One standing bed 01 00 00 

Valandes, curtaines and roddes 00 16 00 

One coveringe and one blankett, one chaffe bedd, 

onematt 01 01 00 

One ffeather bed 01 08 08 

Pillowes 01 00 03 

One court cupboard with its coveringe 00 16 00 

One table 00 09 00 

One chaire, tow backe stooles, tow other stooles 

and a little one 00 19 00 

One picture and one coate of armes 00 08 00 

The Great Chamber : — 

The Middle Chamber : — 

The High Chamber : — 

The Little Chamber and Closett : — 

The Yarne Chamber : — 

In white yarne of several sortes 258 17 00 

In boulsters white and stript 65 05 00 

Tow great Bibles and an ould one 00 18 00 

One statute booke 00 04 00 

In Wearing Apparell : — 

In one suite as jump, doublett and breeches 01 00 00 

One sattan doublet, jump and breeches 01 15 00 

One blew coate 00 13 04 

One rugggowne 00 10 00 

In Rentes due and good 09 17 00 

In Desperate Rentes and Debtes 11 09 00 

In Gould, fforty peeces little and great 32 00 00 

In Plate weighing ffive pounde eleven ounoes after 5 s 

theounce 22 15 00 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 35 

In Gould and Silver Binges 03 00 00 

InOoine 144 06 04 

In Debtes for Yame and Oloath 176 03 00 

From the number of apartments specified in the inventory it is 
evident that the house must have been of considerable dimensions. 
It was of lath and plaster, and its site was not far distant from the 
modern structure which has superseded it. It occupied in part the 
area of the present garden and faced towards what is now the turn- 
pike road. It was rebuilt in 1764 at a cost of £10,000.* 

Amongst the many papers in the handwriting of Ralph Worsley 
which still find a resting place at Piatt is a Diary relating chiefly to 
family occurrences, commencing with the year 1605 and terminating 
with 1668. It is written in a volume wherein had been already 
inscribed many memoranda of a family named Ramon, for one of 
whose members Ralph Worsley had acted as testamentary executor. 

The earlier entries are in French, but as these with one exception 
have no connexion either with the Worsleys or with Manchester 
itself, they are omitted in the subjoined extracts : — 

1605. L'an 1605 la maladye de la peste fat grieve en Manchester 
dont en mourut cette annee 22 cent ou envyrons. 

1645. June — . Borne Sarah, doughter of Charles Worsley of 
Piatt. 

1646. Oct. 2. Martha Worsley, doughter of Charles Worsley of 
Piatt w tb in Rushulme, was borne. 

1647. Feb. 7. Raphe Worsley, sonne of Charles Worsley, was 
borne at Piatt, Monday the 7th of ffebr. about ten a clocke 
in the evening, and was baptized at Birch Chappell the 13th 
day of the same moneth. 

1648. July 7. Paid to my sister Cycley Brownsword one half 
yeres rent due 24th of June last past for my chamber at her 
house, v 8 . 

1648. July 16. Ther fell soe much rain* in Manchester in tow 

1 Gentleman's Mag., vol. bux. p. 434. 



36 A HISTORY OF THE 

houres tyme that in the henging dich [Hanging Ditch] it 
was more then tow yards and an half deepe, and in other 
partes of the towne the streetes weare very deepe w* water, 
many sellers cleane filled up w** 1 water, to the great wonder 
and astonishment of the behoulders herof . 

1648. Aug. 17, Thursday. Theire was a sharpe battell fought 
upon [blank] Moore about tow myles from Preston in Lan- 
cashere betweene Leiuetennant Gcnerall Gromwells fforces 
and the great bodie of the Scotch fforces under comand of 
Ducke Hamleton [Duke of Hamilton], in w** battell L.Gen. 
Cromwell was victorius and slew many, and pursued the 
Sootts from the place aforsaid through Preston to Corley 
and soe to Standich Moore, from thence to Wigan and soe to 
Newton and from thence to Warrington, in all which places 
wear many sharpe battells in which many of the Scots fell, 
10,000 prisoners taken, and many more Scotts which fled 
further into the kingdom weare in sundry places taken pri- 
soners, among whom was taken at Utsiter [Uttoxeter] in 
Stafordsshere Duke Hamleton,. theire generall, w^ 1 2,500 
horse, S r Marmaduke Langdell w th many others in severall 
other places. 

1648. January 22. Robert Bardsley cam to his serviss, and is to 
have after 50s. the yeare. 

1648. March 12, Munday, Paid to one John Hardman of Boul- 
ton, trooper, for one sad bay horse w 111 crop eares, w ch horse 
the said Hardman said he had in an exchang of a Gorporall 
Key in Gapt. Buterworth troop, and the said Gorporall had 
the sam gelding of Richard Bradshaw of Boulton, comisary. 
I saie paid to the said Hardman for the said horse the day 
above, the some of vj u xij 8 vj d . 

1648. March 24, Saterday. At 3 in the morning, Mary, the wyff 
of Gharles Worsley of Piatt w^in Bushulme, was delivered 
of a litle doughter tow moneths before her tyme, w cb said 
doughter died the same day about three of the clocke in the 
after noone. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 87 

1649. April 1. The 1st of Aprill following, being in 1649, the 
afforesaid Mary, the wyff of Charles Worsley of Piatt affor- 
said, died about 3 of the clocke in the after noone, and was 
buried at Birch Chappell upon Tuesday following being the 
third of the same moneth. 

1649. April 22. Thomas Worsley of Nuum Greene in Eckles 
p'ish died, and was buried the day following at Eckles. 

1649. April 24, Tuesday. George Worsley, sonne of Raphe 
Worsley of Piatt w^in Rushulme, was maryed to Mary, 
doughter of Edmund Shelmerdine of Kenerdey in Northerden 
p'ish in Cheshere. 

1649. May 19, Saturday. Mary Stonhewer of Piatt w^in Rush- 
ulme, doughter of John Stonhewer by Martha his wyffe 
deceased, doughter of John Booth late of Manchester allso 
deceased, died at Piatt aforsaid, and was buried in the Birche 
Chappell on Monday then next following. 

1649. July 12. Sould to Nicholas Barton 7 U 3°* of whit Irish 
yorne [yarn] at 2* 2 d a u , 00 15 07. 

1650. May 4, Saterday. About 6 of clocke in the evening, Raphe, 
sonne of the aforesaid George Worsley and Mary his wife, 
was borne at Kenerden aforsaid, and was baptized at Nor- 
therden aforsaid the 12th day of same May* 

1650. July 19, Fryday. At Cheetam Hill was the first muster of 
LTtenn. Coll. Charles Worsleys souldiers. The second in 
the same place August 2, 1 650. 

1650. Aug. 19. Leiuetennant Coll. Charles Worsley set forward 
towards the north w^ the regiment. August 24, Leiueten- 
nant Coll. Charles Worsley came to Skipton. September 2, 
he came to Durram. September 3, to New Castle. Septem- 
ber 9, to Barwicke. September 12, to Edenborow. 

] 650. Sept. 3. The battell at Dunbar in Scotland was fought. 

1650. Nov. 2. Upon Saterday the 2 of November 1650 I agreed 
with John Burdsell of the Milgate in Manchester to cary my 
armes during the serviss ; and for his paines I have given 
him in hand xxx 8 , one greene coate, and am to pay him dayly 



88 A HISTORY OF THE 

j fl when he w* the rest of his company is trained ; and when 
his is to go forth of the oonntie opon servisB I am to pay him 
xxx fl more. 
1650. Nov. 16, Saterday. Sister Joane Gareide died at Green- 
ackers at cosen James Leezes house, and was buried at 
Ouldam upon Monday following. 

1650. Dec. 1. The battell of Hamleton in Scotland was fought. 

1651. March 20. Elizabeth Worsley was maried to Mr. Ottiwell. 

1652. Oct. 6. My eldest sonne, Lt. Coll. Charles Worsley, was 
maried to M ris Dorathie Kenion at Parke bed neere Wholey 
[Whalley] by Mr. Briskoe. 

1652. Oct. 11. I, Raphe Worsley, did set forward to ride to- 
wardes London, and the 5th day of November then next fol- 
lowing I came to my owne house. 

1652. Oct. 18. My sonn, Lt. Coll. Charles Worsley, with bis 
wyffe, did sett forward from Piatt to ride to London. 

1652. Oct. 18. My sonne Raphe Worsley came home from Ox- 
ford. 

J 653. May 22. My sonn, Mr. John Stonewer aforsaid, died at 
Parke hed in Wholey, and was buried at Wboley on Tues- 
day following, being 24th of the same moneth. 

1653. June 2, Thursday. The great sea feight betweene the 
Inglish and the Hollanders began, and continued 3 or 4 
days [under Admiral Blake and Van Tromp] . 

1653. July 19. Charles Worsley, sonne of Mr. Charles Worsley, 
was borne at Parke hed in Lancashire, July 19, 1653, and 
was baptized the 24th of the sam moneth by Mr. Jolley att 
Altom [Altham]. 

1654. Oct. Dorathy, doughter of Lt. Collonell Charles Worsley, 
was borne at James House [St. James" Palace], neer West- 
minster. 

1655. Major Generall Charles Worsley, comander of Lancashir, 
Chishir, and Staffordshire, was caled to that comand 1655. 

1656. May 25. Roger, the sonne of Major Generall Charles 
Worsley, was baptized at Wholey by Mr. Eaton. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 89 

1658. June 8. My doughter Elizabeth, w* her husband Mr. 

Ottiwell, went towards Wrenbury. 
1664. April 24. Edward, the sonne of my sonne George Worsley 

of Blakestake, was baptized at Didsbury, and was borne 

about the 13th day of the same moneth. 
1664. July 30, being Saterday. Sarah, the doughter of my sonne 

George Worsley, died at Blakestake, and was buried at Birch 

Chappell the day following in the evening. 

1667. March 23. Martha, the doughter of Major Generall 
Charles "Worsley, was maried at Birch Ghapell to William 
the sonne of William Higinbotom of Salford. 

1668. Feb. 13. William, the sonne of William Higinbotom of 
Salford, was borne the 13th of ffebruary 1668, and was bap- 
tized the 2th of March then next following, by Mr. Hyde, 
minister at Salford Chapel. 

Returning to the issue of Baph Worsley by his wife Isabel Massey, 
we have his eldest son and heir Charles Worsley, who became one 
of the most distinguished officers in the service of the Common- 
wealth. He was born at Flatt and was baptized at the Collegiate 
Church, Manchester, June 30, 1622, the same day on which his 
brother Edward also was baptized. The silence of the registers on 
this point renders it improbable that they were twin-brothers, but 
this may, notwithstanding, have been the case. Inheriting from 
his father the Puritan sentiments of the age, he carried with him 
those feelings into a more extended sphere, and adopting arms as a 
profession he took his stand with the parliament against the king. 
He was a captain in the parliamentary forces in 1644, and though 
nothing is said of his zeal in the cause his rapid promotion proves 
it, for in 1650 he had reached the step of lieutenant-colonel. He 
appears to have had some share in raising a regiment for the service 
of the state, and being appointed to the command of it he marched 
into Scotland in August 1650 to the aid of Cromwell, arriving too 
late to participate in the victory at Dunbar, though sharing probably 
the successes of the rest of the campaign. He was still in Scotland 



40 A HISTORY OF THE 

in April 1651, but whether he remained there or accompanied 
Cromwell in his hurried march towards the south in pursuit of the 
king, which terminated in the overthrow of the latter at the battle 
of Worcester, is uncertain. The high qualifications of Colonel 
Worsley did not escape the notice of Cromwell, who, about this 
time, gave him the command of his own regiment of foot — an 
appointment which attached him more closely to the person of that 
ambitious general ; and in this capacity he accompanied Cromwell 
on an occasion memorable in the annals of England, when on the 
20th of April 1653 he dissolved the long parliament. Of Colonel 
Woreley's personal share in the events of that day, history speaks. 
Summoned to attend his chief with a band of three hundred men, 
he remained outside the House of Parliament until the signal should 
be given requiring their presence within ; nor was that signal long 
delayed. Stamping with his foot, the signal agreed upon, Cromwell 
conveyed to them his wishes, and immediately his soldiers rushed in 
and surrounded him. Having displaced the speaker, he next turned 
to Algernon Sydney that staunch republican, who happened that 
day to be seated next to the speaker : " Put him out ! " cried Crom- 
well to Harrison. Harrison instantly ordered Sydney to go out, but 
Sydney said he would not go out, and sat still till the general said 
again : " Put him out ! " and Harrison and Worsley, who com- 
manded Cromwell's own regiment of foot, laid their hands upon his 
shoulder as if they would force him ; then Sydney rose and went 
towards the door. 1 Cromwell next advanced to the table where 
the mace lay, and pointing to it cried : " Take away that bauble ! " 
The narrative does not state the name of the individual who obeyed 
these directions, but as from the journals of the House of Commons 
it appears when the next parliament met, in the month of July, 
that a message was sent by order of the house to Lieutenant-Colonel 
Worsley for the mace, there can be little doubt that it was he who 
charged himself with its safe custody when the order was issued for 
its removal. 

On the 12th of December 1653 this parliament resigned its 

1 Knight's Pictorial History of England, vol. iii p. 410. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 41 

powers to the Lord General Cromwell, and another being summoned 
by him in its place, to assemble on the 3rd of September 1654, he 
nominated Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Worsley of Piatt as the 
representative for Manchester, on which town, for the first time, the 
franchise was then conferred. An official notification of his election 
was conveyed in the following terms : — This indenture, made the 
nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand six 
hundred and fiftie-four, between Peter Bold Esquire, high sheriff of 
the county of Lancaster, of the one part, and John Hartley Esq., 
John Hartley Gent., John Gilliam, Alexander Green, Edward 
Byrom, Henry Dickenson, William Jackson, Thomas Dickenson, 
Henry Nield, Robert Boardman, Robert Fleetcroft, Robert Marler, 
Richard Halliwell, Robert Owen, James Ottiwell, Samuel Harmer, 
Arthur Buckley, John Broxupp, Philip Stampe, John Whitworth, 
Ralph Briddock, Gents., and Michael Buxton, James Lancashire, 
George Richardson, John Barlow, John Faulkner, John Ridings, 
Jonathan Gee, and John Ouldham, constables of the town and 
parish of Manchester, of the other part, Witnesseth that by virtue 
of a warrant unto the constables of the said town of Manchester 
and to the rest of the constables within the parish of Manchester 
aforesaid, and from the said high sheriff to them directed, for the 
electing and choosing of one burgess of good understanding, know- 
ledge and discretion, for causes concerning the public good of this 
Commonwealth, to be at his highness' parliament to be holden at 
Westminster the third day of September next, we the said inhabit- 
ants there have made choice and election of Charles Worsley of the 
Piatt within the parish of Manchester aforesaid, Esquire, to be 
burgess of the said town and parish of Manchester, to attend the 
said parliament according to the tenor of the said warrant unto 
them the constables of the said town and the rest of the constables 
of the said parish of Manchester directed in such behalf, who, for 
himself and all the people of the said town and parish of Manchester 
aforesaid, hath full power to do and consent unto those things which 
in the aforesaid parliament shall then and there by common counsel 
and consent happen to be ordained — provided, and it is hereby 



42 A HISTORY OF THE 

declared, that he shall not have power to alter the government as it 
is now settled in one single person and a parliament. In witness 
whereof we the parties above-named to these presents interchange- 
ably set onr hands and seals the day and year above written. 

Peter Bold. 

This parliament continued to sit until the 22nd of January 
1 654-5, when, having voted General Cromwell lord-protector of the 
three kingdoms, it was dissolved after a brief session of five months 
with but slight opportunity to Colonel Worsley for exhibiting any 
legislative talent he might possess. To him and several other mem- 
bers was entrusted (September 25, 1654) the bill for recognition of 
the government, and his name is found on several committees of the 
house — for ejecting scandalous ministers and schoolmasters — for 
the affairs of Ireland and for auditing or revising the public 
accounts. 

In October 1 655 he was appointed by the Lord- Protector one of 
the ten general officers set over the kingdom to command the forces 
within their several precincts and to act as his vicegerents in the 
administration of public affairs. Their commission was to take a 
roll and account of all suspected persons of the king's party; and 
such as were actually so, to receive security of them, in which they 
were to be bound to act nothing against the government and to 
reveal all plots that should come to their knowledge. They were 
to suppress all horse-races, cock-matches, and other concourses of 
people; to secure the highways; to take engagements from royalists 
for their servants and children, and those that did not so nor give 
security, to commit to prison ; and to rate and receive money rising 
from this decimation. In short, there was nothing which they 
might not do, nor which they did not, such an arbitrary vast power 
they had from the Protector. 1 He was advanced at the same time 
to the rank of major-general, and the oversight of the counties of 
Lancaster, Chester and Stafford assigned to him. The names of 
the other officers nominated with him were the Lord Deputy Fleet- 

1 Heath's Chronicle, p. 878. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 43 

wood, Lord Lambert, General Desborough, Gol. Goffe, Col. Kelsey, 
Col. Berry, Commissary-General Whalley, Major Butler, Major- 
General Skippon. "This," says Thurloe in a letter to Henry 
Cromwell, the Protector's second son, "is the greatest creation of 
honours His Highnes hath made since his accesse to the Governe- 
ment." ! 

On receiving the appointment, General Worsley at once threw 
himself into the duties of his office. Writing from Manchester to 
the Government, under the date November 3, 1655, he says : I have 
beene with most of the officers that command the countie troops of 
Lancashire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, and have communicated unto 
them that which was given mee in charge by his Highnes and Coun- 
cell. And truely I find in them a spirret extraordinarily bent to 
the worke, and I plainly discerne the finger of God goeinge alonge 
with it, which is indeed noe smale encouragement unto mee. The 
sence of the worke and my unworthynes and insufficiencie as to the 
right management of it is my onely present discouragement. Yet, 
however, this is the ground of my hope and comforth, that the Lord 
is able to supply my wants and will appeare in weake instruments 
for His glory to the perfectinge of His worke. I shall (through the 
grace of God) discharge my trust in faithfullnes to those that have 
imployed mee ; and I omit noe opportunitie nor avoyd paines wherein 
my weake endeavours may bee usefull. I am hopefull to have the 
Commissioners of Lancashire togather upon Thursday next — them 
for the cittie and countie of Cheshire the weeke following — and 
them of Staffordshire foure dayes afterwards. In a short tyme I am 
hopefull to give you a good accompt of all. 2 

His next letter is more specific, detailing the points of discipline 
to which in particular he intended to address himself. It is dated 
Preston, November 9, 1655. As I informed you in my last, soe wee 
had our meeting yesterday att Preston, where wee had a considerable 
number of Commissioners. Wee have put ourselves into a method 
of proceedinge and have chosen a clerke, a messenger and a dore- 
keeper and brought our businesse to this issue as that wee have sent 

1 State Paper*, yoL iy. p. 88. s Ibid. vol. iv. p. 149. 



44 A HISTORY OF THE 

order for divers off our great malignante in this county to apeare 
and to bringe in an exact account of there estates both reall and 
personall. Wee have done this not that wee shall rest upon there 
survay, but still take that course that wee may come to a full and right 
understanding of the full vallue, and proceede with them accordingly. 
Our next meetinge wil be the 29th of this instant. Upon Tuesday 
next I intend, if the Lord will, to bee at Chester, and soe to Stafford, 
and back here by that time of our next meetinge. I have alsoe got 
a day set for to sitt upon the ordinance for ejectinge of ignorant and 
scandelouse ministers and scoalmasters. I have daylie more and 
more encouridgment that God will carry on this good worke. I 
have bene in divers tounes and corporations and have acquainted 
them with something I have in chardg, and with the good people 
who doth noe litle rejoyse and seeme to be abondantly affected 
therewith, and promis to set hart and hand to this good worke ; and 
indeede 1 hope it will make itselfe (by the blessinge of God) a reoon- 
sillinge worke. I find that Major Wildman hath a great estate in 
this county, bought and compounded for in his name. I beg a word 
of that from you by way of direction. If I here not from you I 
intend to sequester all that belongs to hime. I am hopefull wee 
shall bring things to a good and blessed issue. I found many of the 
Commissioners very free and resolved to be very active. 1 

In a letter of a date three days later, addressed to Secretary Thur- 
loe, he gives further particulars of his progress and ef the encourage- 
ment he met with in the prosecution of his plans : — By my last I 
gave you an account off our meetinge att Preston from which I 
received much incouridgment. You may see by my last what pro- 
grese was then made ; and since that time I have with the assistance 
of the lieutenant of this county-troope, taken care that all Papists and 
malignants and evill affected persons be disarmed ; and that wee may 
not be in the least prevented have taken care that as much as possible 
it may be done in all parts of the county in one day. One thinge 
I had forgott in my last to signifye to you, and that is, that wee have 
apointted a time to put in execution the ordinance for ejectinge of 

1 State Papers, vol. iy. p. 179. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 45 

scandelouse and insufficient ministers and scoolmasters. I have 
since bene in some corporations with the mayor and aldermen and 
the best of the people, to stir up and quicken to be.puttinge in effec- 
tual execution the lawes against drunkennese, sweringe, pro&ineinge 
the Lord's day and other wickedneses, and I indeede find a very 
great seeminge redinese, and I am hopefull it's very much upon 
there hart soe to doe. I hope, when wee have a litle more time to 
take some course to get out bad officers and put good in there roomes 
in corporations. But truly that which is none of the least incouridg- 
ments is that God hath alredy put into His people a prayinge spent 
for this great and good worke ; and indeede I find it alredy in good 
men of differing principels. 1 

From Lancashire General Worsley proceeded into Cheshire, where 
his actions were a repetition of those already detailed. Under the 
date December 14, 1655, he recounts further confiscations against 
the Cheshire gentry, sympathisers of the murdered King, at a meet- 
ing held a few days previously at Middlewich. He adds : There 
beinge a horse-race apointted in this county the last weeke, beinge 
informed of it, I sent a party of the troop. They apprehended the- 
chiefe actors and they took the horses, which I heare since I came to 
Manchester are still in custody. 2 

After completing these preliminary arrangements in Lancashire 
and Cheshire, he hastened to the third portion of his little princi- 
pality — Staffordshire — where likewise he summoned the Commis- 
sioners and other officials of the county, to whom he announced the 
same intentions as those he had before expressed, and from whom he 
received like promises of support. 

In December, 1655, he writes to the government for directions as 
to the confiscation of the estates of Lord Byron, now a prisoner at 
St. James'. I have one thinge to mind you of, he adds in the course 
of the letter, about which I onst spoke to you, and that is about the 
postidge of my letters. There is such a multitude comes upon mee 
out of all parts that it puts mee to very great chardg, and not one of 
many but is about publiok businese. 3 

1 State Papers, vol. iv. p. 187. * Ibid. vol. iv. p. 316. * Ibid, vol iv. p. 322. 



46 A HISTORY OF THE 

On the 24th of December he addresses himself directly to the 
Protector, recommending a tax on all estates of delinquents which 
exceed the annual value of £50, and not limiting it as heretofore to 
estates of £ 100 per annum. He complains that as the law now is, 
many escape who ought to be made liable to confiscation ; and con- 
cludes by stating that in the three counties over which his jurisdic- 
tion extends, he has, during the two months which have elapsed 
since his appointment, taxed the delinquents in Lancashire to the 
amount of £ 1,100 per annum, Cheshire i?l,500, and Staffordshire 
•£1,300 or ,£1,400. i 

On the 21st of December be asks his Highness 1 permission to 
occupy the Castle of Liverpool with one company of his regiment 
" till things be a little over." He states as the reason for his appli- 
cation that many of the great delinquents in this county are papists, 
and are now beginning to fill the prisons, and that he fears he shall 
be troubled for a convenient place for them, as also for the safe 
custody of the arms, &c. he has. u Wee are much trobled," he pro- 
ceeds, " with them that are called quakers; they troble the markets 
and get into private houses up and down in every towne, and drawe 
people after them. I have, and shall take what course I can. I 
have taken good bond for men and horse that were about the hors- 
race that should have bene." 2 

In the month of January he set himself to redress another social 
evil. " I find it/ 1 he says, " a difficult businese how to observe my 
instructions as to alehouses and not weaken that revenew, though 
truely it's too visible that they are the very bane of the countys. 
Yesterday and the day before I mett the Commissioners and Justices 
for the hundred of Blackborne about these things specified in the 
orders, and we find that these alehouses are the very wombe that 
brings forth all manner of wickednese. Wee have ordered at least 
200 alehouses to be thrown down in that hundred, and are catching 
up loose and vile persons/ 13 

He had now introduced the Commonwealth policy into the three 
counties over which he presided, and was enforcing the views of the 

1 State Paper*, vol. iv. p. 840. * Ibid, yoL iv. p. 338. s Ibid, vol. iv. p. 460. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 47 

Protector and his Council with the utmost zeal, when suddenly his 
career was brought to a close. His labours, carried on from day to 
day without intermission, had begun at length to tell upon his 
health ; for, though young and active, the fatigue attendant on the 
discharge of his new duties, added to the constant scenes of excite- 
ment through which he was passing, were more than his strength 
enabled him to sustain. In May 1656, he was summoned to Lon- 
don by a letter from the Lord Protector, and the summons found him 
all but incapable of undertaking the journey. In a letter to Thurloe 
from Warrington, dated May 13, 1656, he writes thus. — 

Bight Honorable, 

Your's beareinge date the 10th instant I received yesternight ; 
but as to his Highnese letter I have herd nothinge off it as yet, but 
by yours. I have bene now neere upon one mounth ridinge abroad 
in the three countyes and Chester cittie, and had apointed a meet- 
inge to morrow at Bury. And indeede, Sir, I am not well. My 
intent was to have taken a litle rest at my cominge home, and some 
phisick. But seeinge I have received this command, I intend (if 
the Lord will) to be with you with all speed ; but if not att the very 
day, it shal be because I am not able; but I shall take post and 
observe your commands as neere as possible. That's all from 

Your honour's faithfull servant, 

Cha. Worsley. 1 
Warrington, the 13th May 1656. 

Accordingly he proceeded to London with as little delay as pos- 
sible, and, arriving there, took up his abode at St. James's Palace, 
a residence which had been assigned to him and his family two or 
three years previously. Here the inroads of disease became more 
apparent, and about nine o'clock in the evening of Thursday, June 
12, he expired at the early age of thirty-five. He was interred the 
day following in Westminster Abbey, in King Henry VII.'s Chapel, 
near to the grave of Sir William Constable, his interment taking 

1 State Papersy yol. y. p. 19. 



48 A HISTORY OF THE 

place in the evening at nine o'clock, and being conducted with much 
pomp. Heath, in his Chronicle (p. 381), alluding to his early death, 
says, " Worsley died before he could be good in his office, and was 
buried with the dirges of bell, book, and candle, and the peale of 
musquets, in no less a repository than Henry VII.'s Chapel, as be- 
came a Prince of the modern erection, and Oliver's great and rising 
favourite." 

Nor was the testimony of those with whom he acted wanting to 
do honour to his memory. The Commissioners for the county of 
Chester, writing from Knutsford to the Protector and his Council 
within a week of General Worsley's death, convey the following esti- 
mate of his character : It hath pleased God to deprive the Common- 
wealth and us of him [Worsley] which is a loss we cannot but be 
deeply affected with, having had so large and manifest experience of 
his sincere zealous and upright endeavours both to the discharge of 
his trust and comfort and satisfaction of good men's spirits. 1 And 
the Secretary of State, conveying to the Protector's son Henry, the 
announcement of his death says, Major General Worsley died here 
at St. James upon Thursday last, of whom his Highness and the 
nation hath had a very great loss, having been a most trusty and 
diligent man. 2 

But perhaps the most valuable tribute paid him is to be found in 
the spontaneous and ready recognition of his usefulness which was 
borne by the government under which he served. This was con- 
veyed to the father of the deceased in a letter from one Thomas 
Hartley, written apparently at the instance of the widow ; the ori- 
ginal is still preserved at Piatt : — 

Sir, 

I reseived youres by the last and am sory to heire of your 
grife and sorrow. My Lord Protector and his Counsell haith given 
won hundered pownd a yeare for ever to youre sones childeren, and 
tow hundered pownd in moneys to youre sones wife. Shoe remem- 
bers her duty unto you and would not have you thinke much that 

1 State Paper*, voL t. p. 128. * Ibid, vol. y. p. 122. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 49 

shee haith [not] wryten unto you, for shee haith not wryten unto 
her owne mother. Shee desires to know whether you come up or 
noe, and what course you intend to take about proving of the will. 1 
Shee will give you an account of every thinge. She is trobled that 
you have not bought your self morning, considering you have as 
much power as shee. Shee desires you to call for a bond of Leiv to 
Gouper of a hundered pownd which monney is to bee reseived heire 
and cannot without the bond. And if you should come up it is de- 
sired that you will bring it or ells to send by some shur man. Soe 
having noe mor but my best respects unto you and your wife, 

I rest, yours to my power, 

Tho. Hartley. 
July 26, 1656. 

I have aquanted and ingaged frinds acording as you desired in 
your last letter. I desire the wellfare of you and tho litle ones. 

Addressed : " fFor my very good frind Mr. Raphe Worsley of Plat, 
neir Manchester, in Lancashire." 

It has been recorded, but with no great appearance of probability, 
that after the interment of General Worsley had taken place, Mr. 
Roger Kenyon, M.P. for Clithero and Clerk of the Peace for the 
county, himself a zealous royalist, the brother-in-law of the deceased 
and one of the mourners, returned secretly to the abbey and wrote 
upon the stone the words, where never worse lay, which indignity 
being reported to Cromwell, so offended him that he offered a reward 
for the discovery of the writer. 

Major-General Worsley married first, his step-sister Mary, daugh- 
ter and coheiress of John Booth of Manchester, which marriage was 
solemnized at Didsbury Chapel September 18, 1644. By her (who 
died in 1 649) he had issue — Ralph, his eldest son and successor ; 
Sarah, born in 1645; and Martha, born in 1646. He married 
secondly, in 1652, Dorothy, daughter of Roger Eenyon of Park 

1 General Woraley's will is not found in Doctors' Commons, nor in the Diocesan 
Registry at Chester ; nor does any copy of it exist amongst the evidences of the 
family of Piatt. His widow Dorothy was executrix. 

H 



50 A HISTORY OF THE 

Head in Whalley parish, Gent., and sister to the Rev. Edward 
Kenyon B.D., r^dtor of Pr&stwich, by whom he had issue— Charles, 
born at Park Head. July 19, 1653; Dorothy. and Roger, who both 
died in their infancy. She survived her husband, and in 1659 
became the wife of Waldive Lagoe of Manchester Esq., by whom 
also- she had issue, and dying in her. second widowhood was buried 
at Prestwich March ] 6, . 1 693-4. 

- Amongst the heir-looms of the family at Piatt is a portrait of this 
its most celebrated member. It is half-length, and represents the 
general with long flowing, dark hair, and habited in the plate antiour 
of the period. .In the left-hand upper corner of the canvas are the 
arms borne by him, and since transmitted to his descendants — arg. 
on a chief gules a mural crown or — corresponding with' the arms 
borne by the Worsleys of Worsley with the addition of the mural 
crown, said to have been granted to the general as an honourable 
augmentation. 1 ■ . 

Here too has found a resting-place the generalV sword. Its blade 
is of bluish steel, straight and of considerable length. It is inlaid 
with gold and inscribed on either side with maxims, religious and 
moral : — ." Vincere aut mori ;" u Si Deus pro nobis quis contra 
nos? " Then follows the date 1651, and beneath the date a trooper 
on horseback. This again is followed by the words, "Achilles 
Grsecus," and below these words is a delineation of Achilles him- 
self. Tie other, side of the blade is similarly inscribed : — " Fide 

1 It is much to bo regretted that in the Flatt archives but. one single letter in the 

handwriting of General Worsley is known to exist, namely, that from which the 

' ^^^ accompanying fac-simile is taken. It is 

<J/»w* Q I fit J'JP d* 1 * 1 Au e u8t 9 i 1649 » and " addressed 

^ /O y# from his brother,fl hou8e in Norfo ! k to 

JtiCyHrf fJJ his father. It is short, and possesses no 

interest. Among the more miscellaneous 
papers of memoranda &c. is a list (dated 
January 3, 1G53) of chief rents in Bolton, 
formerly the estate of the late Earl of 
Derby, but now belonging to Lieut. Coll. 

Worsley. It is stated therein that " the toule of JBoulton market 1b used to bee let 

for the yeare at 10"." 




THE NTW YORK 

\fVVY "'. .""WRY 



T 






ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 51 

sed cui vide;'' "Begere seipsum summa sapientia;" trooper on 
horseback ; the words " Anibal Cartagus," followed by a portraiture 
of Hannibal. 

In striking contrast to his brother Charles was Edward Worsley, 
the second son of the aforesaid Baph Worsley of Piatt, in whom 
love of peace and unavailing regret of the evil times in which he 
lived were as conspicuous as active gallantry and thirst for military 
renown were in his more distinguished brother. On quitting the 
university he took orders and settled in Norfolk as rector of Bunton 
near Cromer, and afterwards of Letheringsett, where he married 
Mary, daughter of Henry Playford of Northrepps. The following 
letters, addressed to his father, will convey some idea of the general 
insecurity then prevailing and the constant fears of all peaceable and 
well-affected persons : — 

Deare Father, 

About a fortnight since I received yo r letter sent by Peeter 
Booker, y n I perceived y* your condition was y e same y* it was before, 
and so was mine ; but, since, it hath pleased y° Almightie to mingle 
my cup with gall and with wormewood, for He hath deprived me 
and my wife of our deare, our onely first borne son : — But 1 dare not 
repine; — God gave him, and therefore He might deservedly call 
for him when He pleased. 'Tis true at first it caused and wrought 
in me an abundance of heavynesse, but since, y e Lord hath learned 
me another lesson, namely in this my condition to be content ; so 
that, notwithstanding all that hath befalen me, I dare not but say 
Blessed be y° name of y e Lord. Sir, mine intention concerning my 
giveing you a visit at y* Spring (God permitting) is still stedfast 
and unmoved ; but looke not for me ere yow see mee. I am much 
disswaded from my journey by my frends in these partes by reason of 
y e many, yea y 6 very many dangers many have of late met withall 
in there travayles ; for of late severall have beene robbed and many 
murthered, so at y* present our prisons are as ful as they can be 
crowded of theives and man-slayers. However, if God give me a 
way I shall make use of it, bcoing at y° present as desirous to seo 



52 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

yow as ever I was in my life. I prayse my God (though the tymes 
be hard and everything very deere) yet I want nothing. The prise 
of corne is greate ; fetches have of late beene sould for 40 s y e combe ; 
gray pease for above 40 s ; barley for 20* ; oates for 15 s ; and wheate 
and rie for above twice an ordinary rate. My wife and my little 
onely girle are indifferently well at present ; though of late my child 
was sicke and forced to take phisick shees recovered. This letter 
was conveyed by a deere frend of mine to my cousen Brownsword at 
London, who delivered it w th his owne hand unto him ; hees one of 
my parishioners. I pray yow send me word concerneing my sister 
Marie. My wife desires her duty might be presented to you, w A 
her respects to her brothers and sisters and freinds in your partes ; 
and so doth he who is your and there oontinuall remembrancer at 
the throne of grace for helth, safty and deliverance in these tymes of 
danger here and your salvation in heaven hereafter. And so rests 

Your truly affectionate son, 

Edward Worslet. 
At Runton, 14th of Aprill 1649. 

Addressed : " To his assured lo. father Mr. Raph Worsley, at his 
house in Rushulme neere Manchester in Lanohashire, p'sent theise 
I pray yow. 

Deliver this letter to my cousen John Brownsword at Mr. Delves 
house in Fryday Streete, London, att y e signe of y e Wheat Sheafe, 
to be delivered as above." ' 

Runton neere Cromer, y e 11 of Feb. 1650. 
Deere Father, 

About a weeke since I received yours of the 18th of Jan. 
w r in I was satisfyed concerning yo r welfare and y e welfare of yd 1 
family and my freinds, w ch did noe little rejoyce me. Since that I 
received a letter from my brother Charles,' w ch came to my handes 
by London ; I received it w th in 10 dayes after 'twas writt, to my 
exceeding joy and contentment. I have returned him an answer by 
one of my brother Playfords who is a draper, and suddainely intendes 
to sayle w 111 some oloath from Yarmouth to Scotland. He hath en- 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIECH. 53 

gaged himself to me to see him if possible ere hee returne. I have 
had y e advantage of sending to him offtner than I have had of late 
of sending unto you, and have lately sent him 3 or 4 letters, and I 
have directed him at least 4 wayes of sending safely and speedyly 
unto mee. I hope hee will make use of them. S r , of late y e High 
Court of Justice hath put 20 to death for y* late insurrection in these 
partes ; many are still in prison, and have of late beene brought in, 
but y e Court doth not sitt. Our charges and taxations of late have 
beene far greater then ever heretofore, w* makes our countie to 
grone exceedingly. Moneyes are very scarce, and cornes but at an 
indifferent rate in respect of y e two last yeares. Sir, I have of late 
(beeing necessitated) purchased a small library of bookes, so that I 
am affrayd I shall not bring you y e 8 U I owe yow, when I come into 
Lanchashire. However, if you please to send me word before, that 
yow cannot forbeare mee, I will provide it som way or other, as I do 
not question but I shall borrow either so much, or at least as much 
as I shall want of y° summe. The two last moneths assessment 
cost me above 3 n . Sir, I think I cannot com downe to you till the 
latter end of May, for I am necessitated to stay till I have gotten 
my barley into y e earth, and afterward as soon as I have an oppor- 
tunity I intend (God permitting) to see you ; but my stay, I feare, 
will not bee so long as you expect and desire. My wife and child- 
ren and freinds are in good helth, praysed bee God; they desire 
to bee remembred to yow and yours. Thus, with my duty to you 
and my respects to them, with my prayers to y e Almighty for you 
all, I rest 

Your assured lo. son to comand, 

Edw. Wobslet. 

Since I began to write this letter I am informed of one whom I 
have a long tyme (even ever since I had corne) delt w^all, he is 
broken and gone away; hee is in my debt above 5 U , w ch is a great 
hindrance unto me now in theise hard tymes. 'Tig y e first tyme that 
ever I lost by any whom I trusted. 

Addressed : " To his lo. father Mr. Raph Worsley, at his house 
neere Rushulme neere Manchest r in Lancashire, p'sent theise." 



54 A EL?TOsVY kT TE 



bar *ri*r*, d*af~'-jzl as of Hcti Mirkec Ez> 
at/i a d*i;£^T Matt, w^ of :L* R*t. >" 





4 Caaflr>» TK*',r»i^ s<vw ?f H;is 

ta* aavU vf A.:=..ir.*T G>i. ^r^s^ur 'JLT'. r Lr\ ijm 
ynt*M*T 'A 4rttrj*#Lzz 1st. a&d i-a ;c*ij w ii* » 
*t.t*T*OV* 'A LJk vz&nirs**. Azti as to ij* wirjijr estx:*. 

K*t,t« it I>rti*T-.i;r*** 3 K-, Is *z*i 3f'jrtir?T'7's, t: *:Ii ::r aoi f^ri^r Hue wra of her 
aataral \S* ; *zA *fvr L*r 4wj?m« be l^rri***!* *Z rj sesrucw A«=- a Lrtieragset 
$&**** A tr* t'z* &,-zz.*t kS. H'M^jl %o Miry TiLznre. di^I'er of y &i '- ir.W Palgrare, 
rvxk, r/r Mary W>t*.*t i-i -'se*t*scr *,■ §-rter, a=.i to tie :»5^e of ber b>ir lawfully 
Im/Atxr*, ~sy,tk tjAJls.'/^ tlat \ut **_i Matt Pair-are par cr ea^«e to be paid to 
E.,z*v^.L Caiv^a, tbfc di-^lUT of Harr.c^i C jx^a cf AtL»ias. in Norfolk, Gent., 
the ram fA &Jf. A: A if tae vxA Marv PaL-rare §LilI depart this life without issue, 
th**» h* gjr«* hu «a./l ou»na^ei Ax. to the rizit heirs of him the amid testator. And 
hi* w»Il is, that if Mary hi* mother shall depart this life before Mary Palgrave his 
ftttr* uhall attain to *.he age of one and twenty rears, then that Peter Beake of Nor- 
wich, kj« t/r'/th'rr-.n-law, and Thocias Bainbnge of Holt Market, clerk, shall receire 
tb« imq/'m aiid rerit* of the taid mesmages 4e. in Letherisgset giren to Mary Palgrave 
hi* ni^c^, and shall ircprore the tame to and for the use and advantage of the said 
Karr PalgraTe, arid jay the tame to her at the age of twenty -one. Bat if Mary 
J'algrare »hall depart this life before she shall become one and twenty years old, that 
then the nn'ui Peter Beake and Thomas Bainbrige shall divide the said rents &c. 
mmoniint Ki^hard Ilayford, George Playford and Nicholas Pbyford, sons of John 
Playford now of Letbering«et, within three months after the death of his said niece 
Mary Palmare. Also, after the death of Mary his mother, he grrea and bequeaths 
one moiety or half part of his messuages, lands &c. in Northrepps in the county of 
Norfolk to Thomas Allen, son cf Thomas Allen of Holt aforesaid, mercer, and to the 
Issue of his body lawfully begotten ; and for want of such issue he gives the same to 
Sherwood Bftinbrige, son of the aforesaid Thomas Bainbrige, and to the issue of his 
body \ and for want of issue of the said Sherwood, he gives the same to Ann Bain- 
bridge, sister of the said Sherwood, and her heirs for ever. Also, after the death 
of Mary bis mother, he gives the other moiety of his messuages &c. in Northrepps 
to Sherwood Bainbrig aforesaid and to the issue of his body lawfully begotten ; and 
for want of such issue, to Ann Bainbrig and her heirs for ever. Also, he gives and 
bequeaths, after the decease of Mary his mother, one acre of land in Holt aforesaid 
to William Pope of Holt, butcher, and his heirs for ever. He appoints Peter Beake 
of the city of Norwich, his brother-in-law, and Thomas Bainbrig of Holt, clerk, his 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 55 

By his second marriage, as already intimated, Baph Worsley had 
a son bearing his own name, the half-brother of the general and of 
the Rev. Edward Worsley. He too studied at Oxford, and whilst 
there incurred, as many others at that seat of learning have done, the 
gentle rebuke of his father for a too lavish expenditure. His letters 
in reply are still preserved, and it is amusing to perceive how adroitly 

executors j to whom he gives all his messuages Ac. in the city of Norwich upon trust, 
that by sale of his said messuages &c. they pay his legacies hereinafter given, and 
dispose the overplus as hereafter is disposed. And first, he gives to Elizabeth Otty- 
well of Elsmere in Shropshire, the daughter of his father's sister, the sum of £80, to 
be paid within twelve months after his decease at Holt church-porch j and if she be 
then dead, the same £80 to be paid to Mary his mother if living, but if dead, then 
to the right heir of the said Mary his mother. He gives to Susan, the daughter of 
Hamond Claxton, his god-daughter, £100. Also, he gives to Peter Beake, son of the 
aforesaid Peter Beake, his brother-in-law, £100. To Nicholas Playford, son of John 
Playford, he gives £20 ; but if he die before the age of sixteen years, then the said 
£20 to be equally divided amongst the children of Thomas Rogers of Northrepps. 
To Thomas Rogers of Northrepps he gives £10. He gives to George Playford, son 
of John Playford, £10, to be paid to him by testator's executors at the determination 
of his the said George's apprenticeship. To William Pope of Holt Market, butcher, 
he gives £10. To the poor of Salthouge in Norfolk, forty shillings ; and a like sum 
to the poor of Letheringsett and to the poor of the parish where he shall happen to 
die. To Robert, son of John Abraham of Salthouse, £5. To Mary Worsley his 
mother £30, and all his wife's wearing apparel and the boxes and trunks wherein they 
are. To John Ottywell, his father's sister's son, he gives all his books or library. 
To each of his executors he gives £10 ; and he forgives to Mary Worsley his mother 
the £50 which she oweth him. To Hamond Claxton, his brother-in-law, his little 
brown mare. To Mary Goate his servant, forty shillings. To Mary his mother, 
" the strange peeces of gold and silver unconverted," which were his father's. Ho 
desires to be buried in the chancel of Letheringset, as nigh his wife as conveniently 
may be, if the incumbent there shall give leave j otherwise in the body of the church 
there j and that his executors lay one gravestone there for him and one for his said 
wife. To his mother Mary Worsley he gives £30 towards the building of u a new 
sawne roofo" over his head house in Letheringset. He appoints Holt church-porch 
as the place for the payment of his aforesaid legacies. To his mother Mary Worsley 
he gives all his wearing apparel and linen. He gives to Elizabeth Claxton his sister- 
in-law, to Paulina Claxton his sister-in-law, to Mary Allen his sister-in-law, and to 
Sarah Bainbrig, wife of the said Thomas Bainbrig, — to every of them a mourning 
ring of twenty shillings value. Witnesses : Nicholas Bainbrig, Katharine Gymer, 
Peter Wilson. Proved at Norwich. 



56 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

he evades, in the first, his father's impeachment, and in the cant of the 
day proceeds to exhort and admonish his reprover : — 

March 27, 1650. 
Most assured loving Father, 

My duty binding mee, and your charch which you gave mee 
when I left you spurring it on, I could not but write, though I 
exceedingly wonder y* I heare not from you. On Thursday, March 
21, I sent a letter [by] my Mr. Wilde of Bachdale, in which was 
enclosed a letter of my tutors to you, which I hope might call back 
y e bad report y* is among you in my behalfe, which when I told my 
tutour hee was liker a madman then one y t should have wit and 
understanding. But as I wrote before so now, God is my witness 
it is a falsity. I pray you tell Mr. Lomax if hee will sende his 
sonne to Pembrooke let him but write to me betwixt this and Easter 
by Mr. Deane, or y e post y* goeth to London, and I will get his 
name entred in y e bookes and lay downe entrance for him till he 
come ; and hee gaines the terme by y* meanes if he come before 
Easter or a weeke after. I give thankes to y* Lord God, by whose 
help I hope y* you and I both may receave comfort perpetualy for 
his good succes which Hee hath given mee, in whose help (most 
endeared father) I beseeke you and entreate you to put your totall 
confidence and beliefe. Let not y 6 times troeble you ; let not the 
prowde and malicious words of wicked men disharten you ; let not 
y e errours of deceitfull men decieve you, for though they are without 
in sheeps clothing yet within they are like to ravishing wolves. 
Cleave to y° word of God, and follow no man's words further then 
they are agreeable to y 6 word and law of God. Here was a captaine 
in Oxford not long since who denied y* their was any God, any re- 
surrection, or any Christ, though wee live at peace and y° colledges 
as pure from wicked men as they were this long time. In owre 
colledge there is not a gamster, drunkard, or any such person, and I 
hope you will see y* I live at as frucall a rate as any in Oxford, ex- 
cepting serviters. I pray you to remember my love to my brethren 
and sisters, all owre friends in generall, neighbours and servants, 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 57 

hoping your health as mine I comend you to the hands of Him who 
is able to help you, with my praiers for you continualy. 

Your obedient sonne till death, 

Ralph Worslbt. 
Pembroke, Oxon. 

If you enquire at Mr. Jepsons you may know if Mr. Wilde bee 
returned, for hee went from Oxford to London. I am very sory to 
heare y* my uncle Brownsword is .... I pray God y fc hee may come 
of well. 

Addressed : " For his much respected father Mr. Ralphe Worsley 
at Piatt in Rushulme theise. Leave theise, I pray, w* Mr. John 
Brownsword in Manchester, to be delivred as aforesaid." 

Most endeared and ever loving Father, 

After my duty to you presented, w* my best respects to my 
deare brothers and sisters, hoping y* you all are in good health as I 
at y* writing hereof, blessed be y e name of y 6 lord. I having so 
opertune a messenger, w 1 * a longing desire anexed to it, knowing 
your care, love and praiers dayly for mee, could not omitt y* oper- 
tunity. ffather, I must confesse since you saw mee I have spent 
more then ether you thought I should or I had intentions to have 
spent. You write to mee that I have spent more by far then my 
brother Edward when hee had but beene the same time in y* uni- 
versitie ; but that is no marvail if I have ; hee was in health, I in 
sicknesse, yea so far underwent y e pangs at sicknesse y* I wished 
many a time y* death would come, and many thought it was at y 6 
doore. This is y* dearest yeare y* ever you shall have, as many 
reasons I could give you for it, as keeping my chamber 32 daies and 
almost all y* time keeping one by mee, being so y* I could not move 
w^out helpe, and I believe when ever it may please y e lord y* I may 
obtaine y° sight of you, y* markes which I can shew will almost 
strike you into an amasement y t I was so soone sound of them. 
What ever I have, it is but lent, for, God willing, if ever I shall 
recieve any externall fruits of my studyes, you shall have to y e utter- 
most whatever you have laid downe or shall lay downe; and till 

I 



58 A HISTORY OF THE 

then I shall put up praiers daily to y e most high y* you may obtaine 
life and health. And so wanting time to expresse my selfe, I rest 
w^ my praiers for you all, 

Your obedient sonne till death, 

Ralph Wobslet. 
Pem. Oxon., Decern. 24, [1650.] 

I wonder exceedingly y* I heard nothing of my brother Charles, 
nor never heard from Edward nor George. Pardon, I pray you, 
what ever is past, and you shall see things to fall out other wise. 
Remember my love, I pray you, to my sister, and tell her I would 
have writ to her but time prevented mee. I have sent you a token 
enclosed heare. 

Addressed : " For his much esteemed father Mr. Ralph Worslqy 
at Piatt in Rushulme neer Manchester, theise &c." 

Kind Father, 

Yesterday I recieved yC letter in which was one enclosed to 
my tutor, which here hee hath answered. I am sorry y* you should 
be so troebled concerning mee ; would God I could helpe it. You 
know how my expence was till December, and so they had beene 
still had it not pleased God my leg had beene sore, which quarters 
expences set mee behinde egregiously. Would I could see you at 
Oxford y* I might answer for all I have spent, and I believe it 
would be more for your contentment and mine also. I call God to 
witnesse and y 6 men in y e world to accuse mee, if they can, y* I 
have not beene in an alehouse this quarter but with Mr. Deane and 
once with some others, where I spent ij d . I have spoken to my 
tutour to take up my moneyes and to give an accompt to you, which 
hee will. I should have taken up this journey, but I forbeare more 
money then I have, hoping to see you at Oxford before long. Were 
I even, I will wish no more but 7 U 8 0* a quarter till I have a 
place, and then 3 U 0* 0*, and perhaps nothing ; but not to troeble 
you w** 1 a multitude of words, w 111 my duty to you and love, respect 
to all my brethren and sisters, once more thanking my brother 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 59 

George for his letters, I rest, and intend to write more folly at Mr. 
Urin Deanes returne, 

Your obedient sonne till death, 

Ralph Worslbt. 
Pern. Oxon., May 16, [1651.] 

My oloathes grow extreame bare and my shirts. 
Addressed : " For his very much esteemed father Mr. Ralph 
Worsley at Piatt Rushulme neere Manchester, these/' 

Sir, 

I have this day received your letter, and at first did much 
wonder y t your son should be so expensive here with us, seeing y t 
he may live as cheape, yea I think veryly cheaper then in any other 
house within this university. But he tela me y* the curing of his 
sore legg hath cost him very much, and y* the moneyes which he 
hath had so soone one after another was in part for to cure it and to 
pay for his expenses in the colledge, besides other things which 
schollars have need of. I assure you y* he is very civil] and diligent 
in his studyes, and our master, as well as all the house, hath a very 
good opinion of him. It is true y* he hath spent some weeks 7 or 8 
shillings as many other, but he hath been punished for it in exercises 
(though it be not extraordinary much in these scarce times). He 
promises now to be very frugal], and I assure you I have cause to 
beleeve him, for I have not found him to my knowledge as yet in a 
lye. Were he given very much to spending I would writ unto you 
to send his money to me, as it is common in Oxford, but I have not 
found it as yet necessary, though in this you may use your owne 
discretion. My only ayme is y* he may carry himselfe so y* (with 
Gods blessings upon his endeavours and myne) he may be an 
instrument of much glory unto His name, which is the desire of 
him who is 

Sir, your most humble servant, 

Peter Jebzbt. 
Pemb. Coll. Oxon., 16 May, 1651. 



60 A HISTORY OF THE 

After completing his studies at Oxford, Mr. Ralph Worsley 
ceived ordination at Manchester after the Presbyterian form then 
by law established, and was licensed to the curacy of Ghelford in 
Cheshire. His letters of orders bear date June 15, 1653, and are 
subscribed by Richard Hollinworth, moderator pro temp., John 
Angier, John Harison, William Meeke, Edmund Jones, and Na- 
thaniel Rathband. The document runs thus : — 

Whereas Master Raphe Worsley, Batchelor of Arts, aged about 
22 yeares, hath addressed himselfe unto us the Presbyters of the 
ffirst Classis of the Province within the countie palatyne of Lan- 
caster, authorized for ordination of ministers by ordinance of both 
houses of parliament, dated the 29° of August 1648, desireinge to 
bee ordeyned a presbyter, for that hee is chosen for the worke of the 
ministrie in the church of Ghelford in the countie of Chester, as by 
a. certificate now remaineinge with us touching that his election 
appeareth, hath exhibited a sufficient testimoniall of his diligence 
and proficiencie in his studies, and unblameablenesse of life and 
conversation, hath beene examined accordinge to the rules for ex- 
amination in the said ordinance expressed, and thereupon approved ; 
and there haveing beene no just exception made against his ordina- 
tion and admission, These may test i fie to all whom it may concerne, 
that upon the fifteenth day of the moneth of June, wee have pro- 
ceeded solemnely to set him apart to the office of a presbyter and 
worke of the ministrie of the Gospell by layinge on of our hands 
with fastinge and prayer, by vertue whereof wee doe declare him to 
bee a lawfull and sufficiently authorized minister of Jesus Christ ; 
and haveinge good evidence of his lawfull and faire callinge, not 
onely to the worke of the ministrie but to the exercise thereof in the 
church of Ghelford in the countie aforesaid, wee doe hereby actually 
admitte him to the said charge to performe all the offices and 
duties of a faithfull pastor there, exhortinge the people in the name 
of Jesus Christ willingly to receive and acknowledge him as the 
minister of Christ, and to maynteyne and encourage him in the 
execution of his office, that hee may bee able to. give up such an 
account to Christ of theire obedience to his ministrie as may bee to 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 61 

» 

his joye and theire everlastinge comfort. In witnes whereof wee 
have hereunto set our hands this fifteenth day of June anno Dni 
1653. 

Baph Worsley of Piatt, Gent., at his death in 1669, was suc- 
ceeded by his grandson Baph, eldest son and heir of Major-General 
Charles Worsley, deceased, by his first wife Mary Booth. He was 
born at Piatt February 7, 1647. His political and religious opinions 
coincided with those of his father and grandfather, and after the 
Restoration he found much difficulty in accommodating himself to 
the new rule. In the reign of William III., the rigour against 
dissenters being relaxed, he caused his own house at Piatt to be 
licensed for congregational worship in 1697, and two years later a 
chapel was built on his estate mainly through his instrumentality, 
to <which at his death he bequeathed the sum of i? 100 towards an 
endowment fund. He married firstly, in 1671, Deborah Cliffe of 
Bretherton in the parish of Groston, by whom he had issue an only 
son Charles and several daughters. By his second marriage (his 
wife's name unknown) he had no issue. His death occurred Au- 
gust 9, 1728. His will, dated June 11, 1725, is as follows : — 

In the name of God amen. I, Baphe Worsley of Piatt in the 
parish of Manchester and county of Lancaster, Gent., being in 
health of body and of sound and perfect mind and memory (praised 
be God therefore), doe make and ordaine this my last will and tes- 
tament in manner and form following, ffirst, I doe hereby revoke, 
make void and disanull all former and other will or wills by me 
made, and doe make this my last will and testament, viz*. : ffirst, I 
comend my soul into the hands of A 11 mighty God, hoping thorough 
the merits, death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have 
full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and to inherit 
everlasting life ; and my body I comit to the earth, to be decently 
buried (att Piatt Chappell) att the discretion of my executors here- 
after named ; and as touching the disposition of all such temporall 
estate as it hath pleased Allmighty God to bestow upon me, I give 
and dispose thereof as followeth. ffirst, I will that all my just 



62 A HISTORY OF THE 

debts, fimerall expences, with the probate of this my will, be paid 
out of the whole of my estate ; and then I give and bequeath one 
hundred pounds sterling to my son Mr. Charles Worsley and Mr. 
Peter Worsley my grandson, in trust, that the lawfull interest thereof 
shall be yearly paid and given to such orthodox Gospell dissenting 
preaching minister as shall be constantly resident att Piatt Ghappell 
or meeting-place for publiok worshipp ; and if lyberty in or at any 
time to come shall be restrained, it is then my will and mind that 
the interest and produce of the said one hundred pounds be given 
and bestowed for the benefit and reliefe of the most religious poore 
people, whether housekeepers or others, within Busholme, ffallow- 
feild and Birch-hall houses, at the discreation of my executors and 
their successors for the time being. Item I give and bequeath one 
hundred pounds sterling to my granddaughter Deborah Worsley, to 
be paid her within twelve months after my decease. Item I give 
and bequeath one hundred pounds more to my granddaughter 
dementia Worsley, to be paid to her or to her guardian for her use 
and benefitt within twelve months after my decease. I give and 
bequeath to my grandson Mr. Peter Worsley the revertion of Tay- 
lor's Tenement att Street-ffould in Moston, together with seventeen 
shillings of a yearly lease-rent issueing and payable from the said 
tenement. Item I give, devise and bequeath to my son Mr. Charles 
Worsley one of the two hundred pounds which I reserved to my 
selfe a power to dispose of att my decease, according to the settle- 
ment made at my son's marriage, I haveing already assigned and 
given the other hundred pounds to my son-in-law Mr. Culcheth 
as a part of his marriage portion with my daughter Sarah. Item I 
give and bequeath to my loveing son-in-law Mr. Thomas Culcheth 
and his wife ten pounds a peice to buy them mourning with. Item 
I give and bequeath the sume of twenty pounds to my executors 
hereafter named and to theire heires, in trust, that the interest and 
produce thereof may be bestowed in cloath, wollen or linnen at theire 
discretion, upon the poor within Busholme. Item I give to my 
deare son Mr. Charles Worsley my gold seale-ring and also a peice 
of broad gold called a Spurr Boyall. And I give to my loveing 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 63 

daughter-in-law Mrs. Worsley my wedding-ring, desireing her to 
accept the same as a token of my love and gratitude. Item I give 
and bequeath to my grandson Peter Woraley one broad peice of 
old gold called a Scepter. Item I give to my granddaughter 
Deborah Worsley one peice of broad gold with two X X on it, and 
alsoe a ten shilling peice of angell gold which dear sister Sergeant 
gave unto mee. Item I give to my granddaughter Clementia 
Worsley one peice of broad gold with two X X on it, to keep in 
remembrance of mee. Item I give and bequeath our servant Esther 
Deane, if she lives at Piatt at the time of my decease, two guineys ; 
and to Esther Worthington one guiney, if servant at Piatt at my 
decease ; and to Henry Massey one guinea, if a servant at Piatt att 
my decease. Item it is my will, and I hereby order Mr. Whitaker 
two guineas to preach my ffunerall sermon if he be minister at Piatt 
att the time of my decease. Item I give and bequeath to Mr. and 
Mrs. Whitaker either of them a guinea to buy them a mourning 
ring. All the rest and residue of my personall estate, goods and 
chatteles whatsoever, I doe give and bequeath unto my deare son 
Mr. Charles Worsley and to my deare granson Mr. Peter Worsley, 
to be equally devided between them. And for the execution of this 
my last will and testament, I doe nominate and appoint my deare 
and only son Mr. Charles Worsley and my deare granson Mr. Peter 
Worsley, both above named, executors of this my last will and tes- 
tament, intreating them to see this my last will and testament in all 
points performed, as my trust is that they will doe. In witnesse 
whereof I have here unto sett my hand and seale the eleventh day 
of June anno Dom. 1725. Witnesses: Peter Shelmerdine ; David 
Hulme; Charles Hulme. Proved at Chester November 2, 1728. 

By his first marriage General Worsley had issue also two daugh- 
ters, sisters of the aforesaid testator — Sarah, born in June 1645, 
who died in 1659, having first made a will; and Martha, born 
October 2, 1646, afterwards the wife of William Heginbothom of 
Salford. 1 The will of Sarah Worsley, though that of a child of 

1 William Heginbothom of Salford, chapman, son of William Heginbothom of the 
same place and Joane his wife, married Martha Worsley at Birch Chapel, March 23, 



64 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

fifteen years, was admitted to proof at Chester in 1661. It is as 
follows : — 

In the name of God amen. This eighteenth day of January one 
thousand sixe hundred fiftie and nyne. I, Sarah Woreley of Piatt 
within Rushulme, daughter of Charles Worsley late of Piatt afore- 
said, deceased, beinge sicke in body but of good and perfect memory, 
praised be God, do constitute, ordain and make this my last will and 
testament in manner and forme following. To wit, first and prin- 
pally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my 
Creator and Maker, and my body to the earth, to be buried in 

1667. He died in 1670, leaving an only son William. His brother Henry Hegin- 
bothom, also of Salford, married January 5, 1674, at Frestwicb, Cassandra, daughter 
of Peter Sergeant of Pilkington, Gent. The issue of this latter marriage was a son 
Henry, who died during the life of his father in 1709, haying married Beulah Hudson 
of Salford, widow (marriage covenant dated 1703). William Heginbothom of 
Salford makes his will October 12, 1670. He describes himself as " William Hegin- 
bothom of Salford, jun r , in the county of Lancaster, chapman." He commends his 
soul to God ; and his body he commits to the earth, to be buried at the discretion of 
his friends. He wills that his debts and funeral expenses be paid out of his personal 
estate, out of which he also bequeaths the following legacies : — To his mother Joane 
Heginbothom, £10. To his sister Elizabeth Orrell, £20 ; and to Frances Orrell her 
daughter, £5. To his brother Henry Heginbothom, and to his cousin John Arderne, 
his executors, £5 each. To his brother-in-law Mr. Jtaph Worsley of the Piatt, his 
mourning cloak, his hat and his cane ; and to his brother Henry Heginbothom, all 
the rest of his clothes. To Master John Harrison of Ashton-under-Line, £5. To 
Master Constantino of Salford, twenty shillings. To Master Newcome of Man- 
chester, twenty shillings. To Master Scholes of Salford, twenty shillings. To 
Master Finch of Manchester, twenty shillings. To the children of the aforesaid 
Master Scholes, five shillings each. To his aunt Jane Badge, fifty shillings. To 
Martha Fletcher his child's nurse, forty shillings. To the poor of Salford, £4. To 
the poor of Manchester, forty shillings. And all the rest and residue of his personal 
estate he gives to his only son William Heginbothom. But if it should please God 
to take away his son by death before he shall have accomplished the age of twenty- 
one years, or before he shall have married, then he hereby further bequeaths to his 
said brother Henry Heginbothom, £100; and to his sister Elizabeth Orrell, £100; 
and to Frances Orrell her daughter, £30 ; to his said brother-in-law Master Baphe 
Worsley of the Piatt, £25 ; to his grandmother Worsley, £25 ; to his uncle Otti- 
welTs children, £25 ; to his uncle Baphe Woreley' s children, £25 ; to his aunt Jane 
Ridge, £10; To Master Scholes's children, £50. Proved at Chester March 18, 
1670-1. 






ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 65 

Christian manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter named ; 
and as concerning all such goods, debts and chattels as my dear 
deceased father did leave unto me at the time of his decease, and all 
other my goods, debts and chattels whatsoever (if any such there be), 
it is my will and mind that forth of the same all my debts, if I do 
owe any, all my funerall expenses and all other charges and expenses 
which my executors may have occasion to disburse and lay out about 
the execution of this my last will and testament, shall be paid forth 
of the same. Item I do give and bequeath unto my deare and only 
sister Martha Worsley all myne apparel whatsoever. Item I give 
and bequeath unto my mother M ris Dorothy Legoe, forty shillings. 
Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Charles Worsley five 
pounds of lawful money of England, to be paid unto him by my 
executors when he shall accomplish the age of twenty-one years. 
Item I doe give and bequeath unto my loving grandfather Raphe 
Worsley of Piatt aforesaid ten pounds of lawful money of England ; 
and I do give and bequeath unto my loving grandmother Martha 
Worsley, fifty shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto my uncle 
Mr. Edward Worsley of Runton in the countie of Norfolk, twentie 
shillings ; and I give and bequeath unto my cosen Mary Worsley, 
daughter of my said uncle Mr. Edward Worsley, twentie shillings. 
Item I give unto my uncle George Worsley, twentie shillings. Item 
I give and bequeath to my cosen Elizabeth Worsley, daughter of my 
said uncle George Worsley, twentie shillings. Item I give and be- 
queath unto my uncle Mr. Raphe Worsley, twentie shillings. Item 
I give and bequeath unto my loving aunt M ris Elizabeth Ottiwell, 
fiftie-five shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto my cosen Eliza- 
beth Ottiwell, daughter of my said aunt M rifl Elizabeth Ottiwell, 
forty shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto Ellen Willinson, 
my grandmother Worsley's servant, ten shillings. Item I give and 
bequeath unto Jane Bouker, servant unto my said grandmother 
Worsley, five shillings. Item I give and bequeath all the rest and 
residue of my said goods, debts and chattels not herein formerly 
disposed of, in whose hands, custodie or possession they be, and of 
what nature or quality soever they be, unto my deare brother Raphe 

K 



• 66 A HISTORY OF THE 

Worsley and to my dear and only sister Martha Worsley aforenamed, 
to be equally divided amongst them. And for the execution of this 
my last will and testament I do hereby nominate and appoint my 
loving grandfather Mr. Raphe Worsley aforesaid and my loving 
uncle George Worsley executors, hoping they will see this my last 
will and testament executed according to my mind herein expressed. 
In witnes whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day 
and year first above written. Witnesses: Robert Birch, Renolds 
Parkinson, Thomas Wilkinson. Proved at Chester in 1661. The 
expenses of her funeral amounted to i?31 14s. Id., amongst which 
are included the following items derived from a memorandum in the 
handwriting of her grandfather Raph Worsley : — 

Paid ffor suger and other spices and bread 00 18 02 

Paid to Dorathy Bouker for 3 hat bands 00 06 06 

Paid fibr making the grave j 8 . and ffor one coffin 5 8 ... 00 06 00 
Paid to Myles Bradshaw ffor tow scarfes for my wyffe 

and Martha 01 01 06 

Paid to M™ Stampe ffor drinke 01 03 00 

Paid to Mr. Thomas Minshall ffor spices 03 05 00 

Paid to Raphe Poole ffor tow cloake clothes, the one 

ffor myselfe, the other ffor my grandsonn Raphe. 06 16 00 

Paid to Mr. Allexander Greene for wyne 01 12 00 

Paid to the glover ffor 46 peare gloves 03 07 06 

Given to the poore on the day of the burial! 03 10 00 

Paid ffor shag to Raphe Poole ffor a jump for myself. 00 07 09 

The issue of General Worsley's second marriage was Charles 
Worsley, born at Park Head July 19, 1653, from whom spring 
the only lineal descendants of the General now surviving ; Dorothy, 
born at St. James' Palace, Westminster, in October 1654, died an 
infant; and Roger, born May 25, 1656, who also died in his in- 
faQcy. 

Charles Worsley, only son of Raphe Worsley of Piatt, Gent., and 
grandson of Major General Charles Worsley, married, April 30, 






- I 



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I I 



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ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 67 

1700, Clemence, daughter and eventually heir of Thomas Sergeant 
of Pilkington in the parish of Prestwich, Gent., by his wife Han- 
nah, daughter and coheiress of John Garill of the Inner Temple, 
Esq. He died June 1, 1753, leaving issue, besides two daughters, 
an only son Peter, born November 29, 1708. Peter Woraley died 
unmarried and intestate January 17, 1759, having in 1753 ex- 
ecuted a deed barring the entail of his estates, which else had 
reverted to the heirs of Charles Worsley, the General's younger son. 
These estates (her sister dementia having also died) consequently 
descended to Deborah Worsley, as sister and sole heir of Peter 
Worsley of Piatt Esq. Deborah Worsley was born March 19, 
1705-6. In December 1744 she became the wife of Mr. John 
Lees of Manchester, merchant, who in 1775 assumed by royal 
license the name and arms of Garill Worsley. Of this marriage 
there was no issue ; but by a former marriage with Ruth Scholar, 
her husband having had issue an only son, his wife adopted him, 
and at her death he succeeded to the inheritance of the Worsleys 
as Thomas Carill Worsley of Piatt, Esq. Thomas Carill Worsley 
Esq. was born May 12, 1739. He married in 1791 Elizabeth, 
only child of James Norman of Winster in the county of Derby, 
Esq., and dying in 1808 left issue, besides daughters, three sons — 
Thomas Carill Worsley Esq. his successor, born in 1792, but died 
in 1848 s.p. ; Charles Carill Worsley Esq., who succeeded to the 
estates on the death of his brother, and is now the representative 
of the family ; and John Carill Worsley, in holy orders, who died 
unmarried in 1829. 

The following pedigree of the Worsleys, in descent from Charles 
the younger son of the Major General and his wife Dorothy Kenyon 
of Parkhead, is enrolled in the College of Arms : — ^ 



2 

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70 A HISTORY OF THE 

By her will, dated May 23, 1699, Alice Ha ward, wife of Samuel 
Haward of Salford in the parish of Manchester, bequeaths unto 
Roger Worsley, son of Charles Worsley of the parish of Oldham, 
her nephew, her large silver tankard. Item she gives and be- 
queaths to Alice Worsley, daughter of the said Charles Worsley, 
her niece, i?100; the largest silver cup, marked on the bottom 
with D L ; the large silver pottenger, marked with A L ; six silver 
spoons, one being less than the rest ; the trunk in the best chamber, 
marked with A K and 1659, and all in it ; and the chest of drawers 
in her (Alice Worsley ^s) chamber, with what is in them. She gives 
unto Dorothy Worsley, daughter of the said Charles Worsley, her 
niece, i?100; the little silver tankard with broad rings on the bot-' 
torn, and a silver plate with broad edges ; the less silver pottinger ; 
one marked silver dish ; six silver spoons, marked with C W D ; one 
silk quilt for a bed ; her garden and bugle basket ; the trunk in the 
best chamber, marked with A K, and what is within it ; the chest 
of drawers in the best chamber, with what is in them. Item she 
bequeaths to her said nieces, Alice and Dorothy Worsley, one pair 
of damask sheets, four damask table cloths, twenty-nine table nap- 
kins, and two pair of Holland pillow beers, — equally to be divided 
betwixt them. Also she bequeaths to Sarah Worsley, daughter of 
the said Charles Worsley, her niece, one little wrought silver cup 
taster and one silver boat. She appoints William Ash ton, rector of 
Prestwich, and Ralph Worsley of Piatt, Gent., her executors. 



At an early period in the thirteenth century the hamlet of Birch, 
or as it was more anciently designated Hindley Birch, was vested in 
the family of Hathersage, to whom, as a part of the manor of 
Withington, it had been granted by the Grelles, lords of Manchester. 

Towards the close of the reign of King John, or in the early part 
of that of his successor Henry III., Matthew, son of Matthew de 
Hathersage, conveyed the estate to Matthew, son of Matthew de 
Birch. 

A copy of the deed by which this transfer was effected is still in 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 71 

existence. 1 It gives us the original bounds of the hamlet ; com- 
mencing at the great ditch and so across, as far as the boundary of 
Piatt ; thence towards the north as far as the Gore-brook, and up 
the stream of the Gore-brook as far as the ford at Bushford ; thence 
following "le matregate" as far as the great ditch, and keeping 
along the great ditch to the boundary of Piatt. To this territorial 
transfer was annexed the right of pannage, or the feeding of his swine, 
in the lord's woods and the grinding of corn hopper-free, without pay- 
ment of toll, at any of the lord's mills within the manor ; the ac- 
knowledgment to be rendered being the yearly payment of three shil- 
lings, namely, eighteen pence at the feast of the Annunciation of the 
Virgin Mary, and eighteen pence at the feast of St. Michael. The 
deed is witnessed by Sir Geoffrey de Ghetham, Sir Adam de Bury, 
Sir William Doly, Robert de Byron, Bichard de Trafford, Robert 
de Beddish, William de Heyton, Bichard de Chorlton, William de 
Didsbury and Thomas de Barlow. 

Alexander del Birches, grandson to Matthew del Birches the 
younger, in the last-recited indenture, died in or about the 12 
Edward II. (1318), in which year Robert, his eldest son and heir, 
re-settled his estates, including certain lands which formed the 
jointure of his mother then living, limiting them to himself for his 
life, with remainder to his son Henry, and in case of failure of issue 
to his son Henry then the estates so limited to revert to the right 
heirs of himself and his wife Alice, daughter of Henry de Wytfeld. 
In an enumeration of his possessions we find mention of a water 
corn-mill. This in the 16 Edward II. (1322) he leased to Bobert, 
son of Henry de Trafford, it being in fact but the renewal of a 
former lease granted by his father to the said Bobert. The premises 
are described as Birch Mill, together with a house and an acre of 
land adjoining ; to which was added all water privileges within the 
limits of Birch, a suitable place to winnow corn, and a right of road 
to and from the mill, &o. 

William del Birches, the son and heir of William and grandson 
of Henry del Birch, to whom reference has been made in the deed of 

1 Tide Appendix. 



72 A HISTORY OF THE 

entail just adverted to, was living in the 10 Henry IV. (1408). In 
the 7 Henry VI. (1428) he executed a deed limiting his estates to 
himself and his wife Margaret, with remainder at their death to 
Ralph, Robert, Edmund and Thomas, their sons in succession. 
Ralph, the eldest son, accompanied Henry V. in his invasion of 
France as one of the retinue of Sir Nicholas de Longford, and was 
present at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. 1 He had a son Ralph, 
living in the 27 Henry VI. (1448), whose son Robert was father to 
William Birch, living in the reign of Richard III. 

William Birch had four sons: George, his heir; Robert, to 
whom in the 2 Richard III. (1484) he devised twelve acres of land 
in Birch, bounded by the Michewall Diche on the south, and on the 
north by a messuage called Wynnerhey; James; and Thomas in 
holy orders. 

George Birch married Marion, daughter of Thomas Beck of 
Manchester, Gent. The marriage covenant bears date the 1 6th of 
April, 10 Henry VIII. (1518), and is as follows: — 

This indenture made the xij^ day of Aprill in this x th yere of 
the reign of Kynge Henre the eght betwene Thomas Bekke of 
Man chest opon the one p'tie and George Byrche son and here of 
Wiftm Byrche opon the other p'tie, wittenesseth that the sayd 
George Byrche covnntes and grauntes to the said Thomas Bekke by 
thes p'sentes that he the said George shall by the g'ce of God wedde 
and take to wife Maryon doghter of the said Thomas Bekke at the 
resonable requeste of the said Thomas Bekke or his heres and afor 
the ffeste of Seynt Michaell tK archaungell nexte ensuyng' the date 
heroff: and furthermor the said George Byrche covnntes and 
grauntes to the said Thomas Bekke by thes p'sentes that he the said 
George afore the sayd day of weddyng shall make or do to be made 
to the said Maryon or to certen feofies to her use, at the nomination of 
the sayd Thomas Bekke, a suer sufficient astate of landes and ten tes, 

1 Sari. MS. 782. — The services of this family in France are commemorated by a 
grant of arms made, as it is alleged, by Edward III., who, in right of his sovereignty 
over France, permitted the family to assume the three fleurs-de-lis whioh they now 
bear. — Burke's Landed Gentry t vol. i. p. 98. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 73 

p'cell of his inheritannce, and now beyng in his awyne possession, to 
and of the clere yerely value of vj m kes over all maner charges and 
repryses. To have and to holde to the said Maryon or to the saides 
feoffes to her use duryng all the lyve of the said Maryon. The 
remaynd r theroff to the right heres of the said George Byrche for 
ev r ; ffor the whiche manage and astate in maner and fourme 
aforsaid to be made and done, the said Thomas Bekke covnntes and 
granntes to the said George Byrche by thes p'sentes to paye or cause 
to be payed to the said George or his assignes, the day of the sayd 
mariage or before, xl 11 of good lawfull money of England. In 
wittenesse wheroff the pHyes aforsaid to thes p'sent indentures 
intchaungeable have sett yare sealles. Yeven the day and yere 
above written. 

The issue of this marriage was three sons : Thomas, his eldest 
son and heir ; George and William, and also four daughters, Eliza- 
beth, wife of Mr. Thomas Higgen of Manchester ; l Annes, Margaret 
and Jennet. 



1 Will of Thomas Hygen of Manchester, " oecupyer." Bated January 18, 1555-6. 
He desires to be buried in Jesus Chapel, in the parish church of Manchester. He 
names " Elizabeth, now my wife, Robert Hygen, my brother and his wife j Anthony 
Hygen, my brother ; Thomas Hygen, my eldest sone j Anthonye Hygen, my 
seconde sone ; George Hygen, my third sone ; Edward Hygen, my fourthe sone ; 
Elizabeth, my doughter ; John Hygen, my godson ; my brother-in-lawe, George 
Byrche; my brother-in-lawe, Thomas Byrche, Gent." Robert Becke to have the 
custody of Thomas Hygen, my sone, until he oome of age ; George Byrche, mercer, 
to hare the custody of my sone George Hygen ; Elizabeth, my wiffe, to have the 
custody of my doughter. He appoints as his executors Robert Becke and George 
Byrche aforesaid, and requests Thomas Byrche, Gent., Edward Rediot, Miles 
Gylsford and Anthony Hygen to act as supervisors. Anthony Hygen, testator's 
second son, entered Holy Orders, and became, in 1608, Dean of Bipon. He died 
November 17, 1624, and was buried the following day at Ripon. His will is dated 
November 12th, a few days before his decease. He bequeaths " to my cosen Thomas 
Burtche one bason and ure of silver and the best gelding that I have. To my cosen 
William Burtche of Dighton (Kirk Deighton, near Wetherby, of which parish the 
Dean was rector) I gave 40", and I lent him 40" more, of which I quitt him all, if it 
please God I die. To my cosen William Burtche of Manchester 5 11 . To my cosen 
Thomas Burtche one Bute of damaske and ano r of diaper w h is at Maister Gundalls in 
Rippon and 20" in money towards the stocking of his grounds, for I am affiraid that 

L 



74 A HISTORY OF THE 

His will is dated the 23rd of November, 24 Henry VIII. (1532.) 
In nomine Dei amen. I George Byrche in the conn tie of Lancastr 9 
gentylman, hole of mynde and memory, the xxiij 01 day of Novembre 
in the xxiiij** 1 yer' of the raigne of o' sov^eigne lorde Kyng Henry the 
viij* 6 make this my laste will and testament of and in all and singler 
my mease3 landes tenles and hereditamentes w* th 1 app T tennees in the 
said countie of Lancaster, in man 9 and forme foloyng. That is to 
saye whearas I the said George Byrche before this tyme have 
by dede dated the XX th day of November in the xxiiij* 11 yer 9 of the 
reigne of o* sov^eigne lorde Kyng Henry the viij* 6 infeoffed my right 
trusty frendes John Bamford son and here app'ant of George Bam- 
ford of the Holt gentilman, John Platte of the Platte, Thomas 
Becke of Manchester, Robert Mosse, Thomas Chorleton and S r 
Thomas Birche p'ste, my broder, and there heires for ev r , of and in 
all and singler my mease3, landes, tenses, rentes, revisions and 
p^m' > ce3 w* th 1 apptennces, lying and beyng in the countie of Lan- 
caster as by the same dede of feoffement more at large dothe appere ; 
ffirste I will that my seides feoffes and there heires and ev'y of theym 
shall from hensfurthe stande and be seasyd of and in all and singler 
the seides mease}, landes, tenses and other the p'misse} w* yare 
app r tennces conteigned in the seid dede of feoffement, to th' use of 
me the seid George Byrche for terme of my life naturall w*oute 
impechement of waste, and also shall suffre me the seid George and 
myn assigne3 to take and levye all the issue3, pYettes, rentes and 
revenue} comyrig and growing y'of and of ev'y p'cell y\>f duryng all 
the seid terme of my life w*oute any contdiccon exacon or impedy- 
ment of my seides feoffes or yare heires or of any oy r p'son or p'sons 
by yare pcuremente or assent. Also I will that my seides feoffes 
shall w*in the space of one quart' of a yere nexte aft r my decease 
make or cause to be made unto Wiihn Birche my yong r son one full 

his uncles who are his guardians will leave him verie bare." ,He mentions his cousin 
Clieburne also, to whom and to his nephew Lumley he leaves ail his books, on condi- 
tion that when they die the said books shall be given to the church of Bipon " for a 
Liberarie." The " cosen Clieburne" referred to was probably William Cleyburne, B.D., 
Prebendary of Bipon in 1616, and for many years after. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 75 

sufficient and lawfiill estate of and in two closes or p'cells of lande 
called the Wodesley and Wode-ende lying in the Birche w k in the 
countie of Lancaster. To have and to holde the seides closes or 
p'celles of land w* th 1 app r tennces to the seid Wittm and his assignee 
unto [sic] the seid Wittm shall come and be of the full age of 
xxiiij th yeres. Also I will y* my seides feoffes shall in lykewise 
w l in the space of one quarter of a yere next after my decease make 
or cause to be made unto George Birche my son one suer and lawfiill 
estate of and in other twoo closes called the Olde Marled Erthe and 
the Pyghell, lying in the Birche aforseide in the seid countie. To 
have and to holde the seides closes with th 1 app r tennces to the seid 
George and his assignes unto [sic] the seid George shall come to and 
be of the age of xxiiij ti yeres. PVidet alwayes y* if it happen the 
seid Wittm and George or aither of theym to decesse afor they come 
to the said age of xxiiij ti yeres that then the estate or estates to hym 
or theym made that shall happen to decesse shall from thenffurthe 
be voyde and of non effecte. P'videt also that afti? that Thomas 
Birche my son and here appant shall come to and be of the age of 
xxj yeres and dothe well and truly consent and paye or cause to be 
payde unto aither of the said William and George my seides sonnes 
xx°* sterling that then the seid Thomas shall have and occupie the 
seides closes to his awyne use and behove duryng and unto such 
tyme as the said William and George and aither of theym shall 
come to and be of the full age of xxiiij 11 yeres. Also I will that my 
seides feoffes shall w fc in the space of one quart of a yere nexte aft 
my decesse make or cause to be made unto Elizabeth, Amies, Mar- 
garet and .Tenet my doghters one sure sufficient and lawfiill estate of 
and in certen closes called the vij acre, the ferther ptriche okes, the 
nerer ptriche okes, the berne filde and the falle lying in Birche 
aforsaid. To have and to holde the seides closes w* th' app'tennces 
to the seides Elizabeth, Annes, Margaret and Jenet, and yare assig- 
nes unto suche tyme as the said Thomas my son and here appant 
shall come to and be of the age of xx ti yeres. Also I will that my 
seides feoffes shall w'in the space of one quart of a yere nexte aft 
my decesse make or cause to be made unto Maryon my wife one 



76 A HISTORY OF THE 

sure sufficient and lawfiill estate of and in twoo closes called the 
Wheyte Crofte and Oalfe Crofte, lying in Birche aforseid, for terme 
of the liffe of the said Maryon, if shee kepe her sole and unmaryed. 
Also I will that the said Maryon my wiffe shall have and occupye 
all the seides meases, landes and terfles unto suche tyme as my seid 
son and here shall come to and be of the age of xxj yeres, and therw* 
shall fynde my seides children meyte, drynke, lodginge and wray- 
mentes durynge the same tyme, if they will so longe abyde w* her 
and be ordred aud ruled by her and do their dutyes as they owe to 
doe. And if eny of theym will not be ordred as they owe to be, then 
they to depte at there pleasures and to take and receve the pfettes of 
suche feoffement as her'tofor is expressed. And if my seid son and 
here appant will not abyde w* my seid wiffe unto suche tyme as he 
come to and be of the age of xxj yeres, then I will that my seides 
feoffes shall suffre my seid son and here appant to occupye and 
inioye to his awyne ppr use thes closes or pcelles of lande called the 
Brode Meadowe, the Small Meadowe, the Milne Knolle and Damys, 
except suche porcon of the Brode Meadowe aforseid as the seid 
Maryon hathe in dower and joyntur to th 1 exhibicon [sic] of my 
seid son and here unto suche tyme as he shall come to and be of the 
seid age of xxj ti yeres. Also it is my will that if it happen the seid 
Maryon my wiffe heraft to be maryed, that from thenffurthe she 
shall not sawe ne cause to be sawen eny of the seides landes bot onely 
suche as afor this tyme was giffen unto her in the name of dower or 
joyntur. Also I will that my seides feoffes shall suffre James Byrche 
my broder to take and rceyve the pYettes of all the herbage of the 
Byrche Wode, suche tyme as the seid James shall come to the age 
of xxiiij ti yeres pvidet alwayes that it shall be leafull for me the seid 
George to adde, chaunge or mynysshe this my p'sent will at all tymes 
duryng my naturall liffe at my pleasure ; and after my decesse and 
my will pYormed in man 9 and fourme afofseid, I will that my seides 
feoffes and theire heres shall stande and bee seased of and in all the 
saide meases, landes, tenntes and other the p'mises w* their 
apptennces to th 1 use of myne heres for e9. 

George Birch was succeeded by his eldest son Thomas, of whom 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 77 

little more has reached us than' the fact that he was twice married, 
his first wife being Elizabeth, daughter of John Chetham of Nut- 
hurst Esq. (marriage-covenant dated the 16th of April, 2 Edw. VI.) 
By her he had issue George Birch, his son and heir ; Robert, a 
Fellow of the Collegiate Church Manchester, and William; besides 
four daughters, Elizabeth, wife of John Piatt of Piatt in Rusholme 

Gent.; Alice, the wife of Jepson; Jennet, and Anne. By his 

second wife Ann, widow of John Bamford of Bamford Esq., he left 
no issue ; she survived her husband, and dying in 1616, was buried 
(July 23) at the Collegiate Church. Her will is as follows : In the 
name of God, amen. This third day of July in the yeare of our 
Lord God one thousand six hundreth and sixteene. I, Anne Birch, 
late wyffe of Thomas Birch of the Birch Haule in the p'ishe of 
Manchester and in the County of Lancaster widdowe, being at this 
instant sicke in body but of good and pYect remembrance, thankes 
I give unto the Allmighty for the same, — knowing that all creatures 
are mortall, and that death is most certayne and the houre of death 
most uncertayne, doe make this my last will and testament in man- 
ner and forme following, ffirst and principally I commend my soule 
into the handes of Allmighty God my Saviour and Redeemer, 
hopeing to be saved by the p'tious blood sheddinge of Jesus Christ 
onely ; and my body to be buryed in the p'ishe Churche of Man- 
chester, neare unto my late husband. And for all my goodes chat- 
tells and cattelles whatsoever, it is my will and mynd that my debtes 
and funerall expences whatsoever they be, shall be deducted and payd 
out of the whole before tony divisionne thereof be made. And after 
my debtes being payd and my funerall expences discharged, then y* 
y 1 my will and mynd and I give and bequeath unto my daughter 
Ales Jepsonne, widdowe, the best of my three kyne, which shee shall 
make choyse of. And for the other twoe kyne yt ys my will and 
mynd that they shall bee sould or otherwyse equally divided betwixt 
my sonne William Birch and my daughter Ann Birch. Allsoe I 
give and bequeathe unto my grandchild Elizabeth Birche one black 
heyfer which is in calve. Allsoe I give and bequeathe unto John 
Jepsonne, James Birche, Thomas Birche sonne to Thomas Birche, 



78 A HISTORY OP THE 

and Elizabeth Hulton daughter to William Hulton, one litis blacke 
stirke amongst them. Allso yt is my will and mynd and I give and 
bequeathe unto my twoo daughters Ane Birch and Ales Jepsonne 
my twoo gownes to be equally divided betwixt them. And I give 
and bequeathe to Elizabeth Birche my grandchyld abovesayd my 
chamlet kyrtle. And after that my debtes bee payd, my funerall 
expences discharged, and theise legacies given satisfied and contented, 
yt is my will and mynd that the remaynder of all my goodes, chat- 
tells and cattells whatsoever shall bee equally divided amongst theise 
hereafter nominated, — to witt, my sonne William Birche, my 
daughter Ane Birche, my daughter Ales Jepsonne, and my grand* 
chyld Elizabeth Birche. And I doe make executores of this my 
last will and testament my loving kinsman Edmund Piatt and my 
grandchyld Thomas Byrche. Proved at Chester August 27, 1616. 
In the 13 Elizabeth (1570) with the view of regulating the descent 
of his estates Thomas Birch of Birch Gent, conveys on trust to 
Sir William de Radcliffe, Ralph Piatt of Rysshulme Gent., George 
Birch of Manchester mercer, and John Haughton of Manchester 
draper, his capital messuage called Hindley Birches, &c, to the 
use of George Birch his son and heir, with remainder to Robert 
Birch his younger son, with remainder to himself the said Thomas 
Birch, with remainder to his brother George Birch. 1 From the 
muster-roll of soldiers to be furnished in the county of Lancaster 
in 1574 for her Majesty's service, we learn that he was charged 
with one long bow, one sheaf of arrows, one steel cap, and one bill. 
He died in 1595, his will being proved kt Chester February 10, 
1595-6. It is as follows: — In the name of God amen. The 
xxviij th daye of September anno Domi 1595 and in the xxxvij* 
yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Ladye Elizabeth by the Grace 
of God Queene of England, ffrance, Ireland, Defendor of the faithe, 
&c. I, Thomas Birche of Hindley Birche in the p'ishe of Man- 
chester and the countie of Lancaster gent., beinge sicke in bodie but 
of good and perfecte remembrance, thankes bee geaven to God, 
knowinge death to bee comon and certaine to all livinge creatures, 

1 Karl. MS. 2112, fo. 144. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 79 

bat the howre of deathe most nncertaine, and myndinge by the 
helpe and assistance of the Lord Jesus to order and set in readines 
suche thinges as Hee of His bountifull goodnes and liberalise hathe 
bestowed upon mee. Theirfore I doe institute, ordain e and make 
this my laste will and testament in maner and fforme followinge. 
ffirste and principallye I comend my soule into the handes of 
Almightie God trustinge by the merites and death of Ghriste Jesus 
onlie to bee saved ; and my bodie I cofnitt to burial), to bee buried 
w^in the Churche in Manchester in the Ghapell called Jesus 
Chappell. Item it is my will and mynd that my ffunerall expences 
shalbee discharged of my whole goodes ; that done, it is my will and 
mynd that my goodes then shalbee equallie devided into iij partes 
wheirof one parte I give and bequeath to An my wife accordinge to 
the custome of the countrie ; an other parte I give unto my twoe 
sones Robarte Birche and William Birche my yongeste soiie ; the 
iij and laste parte I give unto William my yongeste soiie, excepte 
such legasyes as I shall give heirafter, to bee taken out of the iij 
parte, for hee hath been broughte upe w 4 litle charges in compari- 
sone of my other children ; for my twoe doughters Alis and Jenet 
have had a hundereth markes either of them and more, in money 
and other stuffe. Item it is my will and mynd, and I pronounce 
and declare by this my laste will and testament, that the some of 
v u yearely bee taken forth of the Wood Knowle and the Broad 
Meadowe for the space of x yeares, wheirof it is my will that v noables 
a yeare duringe the space of foure yeares nexte after my decease, 
w ch cometh to xx noables, bee payed to the feoffees of Manchester 
Scole, and the rest of the some of v pound duringe the tearme afore- 
sayed, to remaine only to my sone William Birche; but if William 
Birche my soiie his parte doe amounte and come to the some of a 
hundereth poundes, then it is my will that William my soiie shall 
have but the one halfe of the v pound yearelye duringe the tearme of 
x yeares aforesayed. Item it is my will and mynde that George my 
soiie and his heyree at any time heirafter, if it please them, shall and 
maye redeeme the some of v u the yeares aforesayed. Item whereas 
the wife of James Holand hath a bill of myne of vij u or theirabout 



80 A HI8TORY OF THE 

and hath not delivered it backe againe unto mee ; I payed the same 
money to hir when I receaved the money of hir that came from 
Walshoat of London. Item whereas I have been at coastes and 
charges for Edmond Piatt and the landes belonginge unto him, 
theirfore it is my will and mynd that William my sone shall have 
the rule and governement of his landes for that hee is garden 
[guardian] to him by lawe. Item it is my will that George and 
William my sones shall keepe Edmond Plat to learninge so longe as 
they shall thinke good. Item it is my will that George my sone 
doe, accordinge to his promise, quietly permit and suffer my wife to 
have and injoye twoe parlers or other conveniente places to her use 
if shee meane to continew here and keepe her heare unmarried. 
Item if any troble or controversie happen to arise betweene my wife 
and cheldren or any of them, I desyre y n my trustie frendes Mr. 
Robarte Hulme of Rediche, my nephew Mr. James Chetham, 
William Brownehill and Raphe Houghton or some twoe of y m to 
doe y r ,beste indevoure to make peace and quietnes amongste them. 
Item I give to George my sone and his heyres theise heirelomes 
followinge as they were lefte to mee: The great garner in the 
barne ; the great steepe keer ; the yrans in the hallo that came from 
T)urrame ; the silver salte ; the swine troughe in the kitchin ; the 
one halfe of the harmes and weapons in the house. Item I geve to 
A lis and Jenet my doughters eyther of them a stirke. Item I give 
to foure of George my sone his children the white heapher. Item I 
give to Jhon Whelwrighte my blew coate and lether doblet, worste 
hyer endes of hoase, a shirte and a hat. Item I give to Henry 
Wilkensone my better frize coate. Item I give to George Houlme 
iij 8 iiij d and Adam Hale iij s iiij d ; to Edward Teliare iij 8 iiij d ; to 
George P^ivall iij s iiij d ; to Arnold Blomeley iij 8 iiij d ; to Jenet 
Hyndsone iij 8 iiii d ; to Margaret Wilsone iij 8 iiij d ; to Elizabeth 
Prevail a cowe or els xl s ; to Richard Jankens ij 8 ; to Elizabeth 
Hardey xij d . Item it is my will and mynd that my executors heir- 
after named shall take order for the payment of my deptes as apeere 
in my dept booke w^in the space of one yeare nexte after my 
decease. And of this my laste will and testament I make and 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 81 

ordaine George Birche and Robarte Birche my sones my executory 
theese beinge witnesses, Thomas Greatres, George P'sivall, George 
flulme. 

William Birch, the younger brother of the testator, entered holy 
orders and received ordination from Bishop Ridley the martyr. He 
was Chaplain to King Edward VI., and held a license direct from 
the king empowering him to preach or minister in any diocese 
throughout England. In 1560 he was appointed to the Warden- 
ship of Manchester Collegiate Church in the place of Lawrence 
Vaux. The Archbishoprick of York and the Bishoprick of Chester 
being then both vacant his presentation was addressed to the Dean 
and Chapter of York. 1 He held the Wardenship for the short 
space of one year, as is generally supposed, when he resigned it to 
the University of Cambridge, and not to the Crown in whom the 
patronage was vested, hoping thus to overawe certain court favourites 
who had tried, under a threat of securing his expulsion, to obtain 
his connivance in the alienation of the lands and revenues of the 
College ; " being weary," as he says in a letter to Archbishop Parker, 
"of continuing in my College with such encumbrance as I have 
thereby, and having no hope to be relieved thereafter of my trouble 
except I betray that College with giving over a lease of the best 
lands it has, I desire to relinquish it to her Majesty's disposition, so 
that it may be converted to some College in Cambridge which may 
hereafter send out preachers to inhabit that quarter, and also by the 
rest of the revenue to maintain certain students." 2 On resigning 
the Wardenship he retired to his other preferment, the rectory of 
Stanhope, in the county of Durham, where he died in the year 
1575. 

Will of the Rev. William Birch, pastor of Stanhope in Weardale : 

In Dei nomine Amen. I William Birche, Pastor of Stanhop, of 

perfect memorye in a dekeyed bodie, do maike my last will, 29 

May, anno Christi nati 1575, as followithe. First I committ my 

selfe and service to Jehova, hopinge only by Jesu Christ to have full 

1 Hollingworth's Chronicle of Manchester^ p. 79. 
* Foundations in Manchester, toL i. pp. 78-82. 

M 



82 A HISTORY OF THE 

forgeavenes of my synnes, resurrection of the bodie and life everlast- 
inge. Accordinge as in riches the Lorde haith by his good blessinge 
maide me steward, so nowe I bequithe them unto hym, as by his 
godlie will he shall guyde my harte to bestowe them, Ipse animum 
et calamum dirigat. 1. To the poor of Gatisheade I geve x s , to be 
distributed by there collectors or churchewardens, and x s to poore 
handye crafte men, to be distributed by there pastor, and x a to the 
poorest prisoners in the Castell in Newcastell, by hym to be also 
distributed with foode for there sowle. 2. To the poore prisoners in 
Durham Gaile xx 1 , to be delivered by a preacher that will geve 
them godlie counsel]. 3. x 1 to the poore prisoners in Lancastre 
Castle. 4. To the poore householders in Stanhop parishe, to be 
devided by the advise of the next pastor and two churchwardons 
and minister, iij u . 5. To xx poore householders, not common 
beggers, xx 8 , in Durham, by the counsell of the minister of St. 
Oswold's and St. Oyles, as be not unthrifts, and xx B to poore begyn- 
ners, craftsmen, to sett upp there occupation. 6. To xx poore 
wedows or dekeyed artificers in Mauchester and Sawforde xl s , to 
every one ij* not unthrifte. 7. To xx poore maidens in Manchester 
parishe, towards there manage iij 1 iij» a peice. 8. To neidful briggs 
or highe waies within thre myle of Byrche my brother's house iij 1 to 
be bestowed, out of his grounds, as he or his sonne, G. Birche, 
supposeth likelye. xl 1 to poore craftesmen, beginners to sett up there 
occupation in Manchester parish or Stopperde. 9. To the porest 
schollers of the Lattyne speiche in the Grammar Scholle in Durham 
and Houghton xl* to xxij 9 a peice. 10. To xx poore schollers in 
Latten in Manchester Schole as moch, that is, xl 1 . 11. To ten poor in 
Stopperd x 1 , or so moche rather to fyve. 12. To eight poore and 
likely schollers in St. John's Colledge or Glarehall in Cambridge 
iiij 1 x* a piece ; and other iiij 1 to schollers in Oxforde, to be delyvered 
by two good men of the Universities. 13. To Bicherd Dalton, my 
scholler there, I geve vj 1 to maynetaine hym at learninge. 14. My 
will is that theis legaces shall be delivered, as is before said, within 
a yere after my departinge, except that the gyfts to maids mariage 
be in two yeres, viz. iij 1 . 15. To Anthony, George and Edward 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 88 



Higins, my sister Elizabeth's three children, x 1 a piece, in holl xxx 1 . 
16. To three other her childringe, for learninge also, William, 
Thomas and Robert Beech, xxx 1 , that is x 1 a piece. 17. To William 
Browhill my sister Agnes' sonne, x l . 18. To Robert Birche, my 
eldest brother's childe, for learninge, as to the other seaven before of 
my nephes, x 1 . 19. To his eldest sonne, my nephew, also a student 
in the lawes, vj 1 and Titus Livius. 20. To William, my brother 
George's sonne, towards learninge, x 1 . 21. To his other children 
amonge them vj 1 . 22. To George, my brother, Fabiani Chronicle, 
and vj sylver spoones of myne, that he haithe in kepinge. 23. To 
the rest of my sister Ans children x l amonge them equallie. 24. To 
the other children of my brother Thomas viij 1 equallye, and Raufe 
to have James Pilkingtons, the Bnsshop of Durham, thre books, all 
in one bunden booke, that nowe I have. 25. To my brother 
Thomas, to be an heir lowme, my Geneva Bible, there printed in 
Englishe, and the sylver bear pott, parcel gilte, covered, that cost 
iiij 1 . Also Munsters Cosmographie, in Latten, for George, his 
sonne. 26. To the doughters of my sister Elizabeth x l , that is to 
his [sic] eldest, Elizabeth, iiij 1 , and to the other two iij 1 a peice. 27. 
To my ant Mosse, or yf she be not, to John and Anne Mosse xx 8 . 
28. To my ant Becke, Nicholas, Thomas Becke, Gicily Holande, 
my cosings, x 8 for a token in gold ; the holl xl 1 . 29. To my neigh- 
bours at Birche, 4 as greave, ij 1 yj d a peice. To Raufe Barche 
ij 8 vj d , or his childe. 30. To the poorest in Risshum amongst them 
v 8 . 31. To the poorest in Wythinton v 8 . To the poorest in 
Didisbury v 8 . 32. To Robert Bewicke of Durham ij» vj*. 33. To 
my trustie servant John Johnson, at Sedgefeilde, iiij 1 and my best 
Lattyn Testament, with Beza's notes. To the other John Johnson, 
of Stanhop, iiij 1 x 8 . To Richard Rawlinge, minister, who with 
Johnsons, might helpe to gether my debts iiij 1 and Inst. Calvin. To 
Richard Jackson, minister, my Greike and Lattyn Testament with 
Erasmus's Annotations ; Aristotells Moral Philosophic of Argiroples 
Translation, with an epitome before it; Metamorphosis of Ovid, 
with a Commentary, and Ovidius de Fastis, with a lardge Comment. 
34. To John Peirson and his wyfe, my wyves servants, vj 8 viij d . 



84 A HISTORY OF THE 

To Richard Pursglove iij 8 . To Ewen Halliwell ij*. 35. The rest 
of my Englishe books to be geven to men and children of Stanhop 
parishe and Durham, that can reid, except that if my brother 
desireth A Replye to Mr. D r Whitgifte, by Thomas Cartewrighte, is 
Raufe Wedowes booke, delyver with yt to hym Boderike Mors and 
Al. Nowell against Dorman. My books of the Lawes of this 
Realme I leave to Thomas my brother, for his children as he 
thinketh, or to George his sonne, for hym and brethren. 36. The 
seaven newe volomes of Civill Lawe I geve to Anthony Higgins, 
with the Annotations of Budseus upon the Pandects. The Canon 
Lawe books to G. Higgins. 37. All Greeke and Hebrewe books 
or halfe Greke and Hebrewe, to William and Tho. Beech. Plato, 
in Lattyn, to go with Greeke Plato ; and Latten parts of Aristotle 
to go with the Greeke. 38. To William Browell the books of 
Erasmus, with Melanctbon's Logike and Rhet., Cicero's Works to 
Edward Higgins, Logike, Arithmetike, Cosmographie and books of 
Astronomy in Latten, and the poets. 39. To Robert Birche all 
books of profane and ecclesiasticall histories, as the Fy ve Centuries, 
in three volumes, Sledane, Eusebius. My Latten Gramer books to 
be geven to three poore Latten schollers at any grammar scholia. 
40. All my Lattyn Divinitie books to be geven to those of my 
nephews that first be teachers in the Ecclesiasticall Ministerey. 
Seneca and Budseus de Gontemptu rerum fortuitarum to Richard 
Dalton. The fyrst gyft of some books before sheweth that I meane 
not of them in lardger wordes after. 41. If dowtes in thes legaces, 
I geve to my executors aucthoritie to do as by godlie discretion they 
shall thinke good, and dare answere before that Judge that seith our 
mynde, before which Jesus Christ all must appeare; and thoughe 
over the funeralls, debts and legaces paid, all goods be the executors, 
yet my will I do declaire to be, that yf the part remayning be greit, 
they shall of the remayning parte help poore neighbours, partlye by 
guifts and partlye by lending freelye to the needye, especialye the 
godlye, for they ar but stuerds, under God, the true Owner, and I 
was and am. The disposers, bestowers and executors of this my 
last will and testament I maike and appointe my brother Thomas or 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 85 

his sonne George for bym, yf he be not leyvinge or not very willinge 
to cxecut ; and with the one of them my other brother, George 
Birche ; or, yf George be not leyvinge, I appoint Anthony Higgins 
executor, prayinge my executors to agree and let not my goods 
trewlie gotten to helpe, be an occasion to hurte them or others. 
Subscriptio confirmat hoc esse Testamentum. 

Gulielmus Birch. 

Testis Eichardus Bawlinge. Probat. xxx mensis Novembris anno 
Domini 1575. 1 

On the death of Thomas Birch Gent, in 1 595, he was succeeded, 
as already intimated, by his eldest son George Birch. 

George Birch added to the original extent of the family estate by 
his marriage with Anne, daughter and heiress of John Bamford 
Gent., and the consequent annexation of the Holt demesne in 
Withington, as well as other lands. 

At the time of their marriage they stood to each other in the 
relation of step -brother and sister, the mother of the latter having 
recently become the second wife of Thomas Birch, the father of 
George Birch. 

He died, as appears from his inventory, in 1601, and was buried 
at the Collegiate Church, February 15, leaving issue George Birch 
his eldest son, William, Thomas, John, Edmund and James. 

His inventory, "taken and praised" the 24th day of February 
1601, shows the value of his goods and chattels to have been 
dP191 5s. lOd. ; among the items which occur are the following : — 
In apparell for his bodie vj 1]< ; item in bookes xl" ; item in pewter 
lxxij poundes at vj d a pound xxxvj s ; item a bakspitte, a fleshooke, 
ij tostinge irons and ij fringe-pans ; item a pair of bellies xvj d ; item 
ij chers and iiij stols wrought with neeld work xxxiij* viij d ; item a 
case of trenchers ij 8 . 

Shortly after her husband's death the widow executed a deed 
bearing date February 12, 1602, settling all the lands she inherited 
from her late father John Bamford upon her eldest son George Birch 
and his heirs, subject however to a life interest in a house and 

1 Surtees Society's Publications, toI. xxii, pp. ox-cxiy. 



86 A HISTORY OF THE 

certain lands called the Forty Acres to the use of her son William 
Birch ; and also a life interest in a tenement in the parish of Mid- 
dleton, in the tenure of John Kay, and one close in Spotland called 
Smythie Scholfeild, to the use of her son Thomas Birch; and also 
of a life interest in a tenement in the parish of Rochdale, in the 
tenure of Robert Chad wick, to the use of her son John Birch ; and 
as to the remainder of her lands the same to be to herself for her 
life ; and all these several uses ended, the whole of her inheritance 
to go to the use of her eldest son George Birch and his heirs for ever. 
She married secondly Francis Dukinfield. 

On the death of George Birch in 1601, he was succeeded by his 
eldest son George, who had not attained his full age. In his minor- 
ity he was committed to the guardianship of one of the Mosleys. 
He married shortly afterwards, in 1606, Anne, daughter of Ellis 
Hey of Monkshall in the parish of Eccles, Gent. The marriage 
settlement is dated September 30, 1606, and speaks of the marriage 
as having then already taken place. The contracting parties are 
George Birch of Birch Hall in Withington Gent, on the one part, 
and Ellis Hey of the Monkes Hall in Eccles Gent, and Adam Smith 
of Manchester, mercer, on the other part. The deed witnesses that 
George Birch does covenant and grant to and with the said Ellis 
Heye and Adam Smith for and in consideration of a marriage 
already had and solemnized between the said George Birch and 
Anne his now wife, daughter of the said Ellis Hey, and for and in 
consideration of the sum of «£?300 already paid and to be paid by the 
said Ellis Hey to the said George Birch, and in consideration of the 
better maintenance and stay of living of the said Anne, wife of the 
said George Birch, and for the assuring and conveying of a compe- 
tent and sufficient jointure to the use of the said Anne, that he the 
said George Birch shall and will before the Feast of Easter next 
convey and assure unto the said Ellis Hey and Adam Smith all that 
part and portion of the capital messuage or tenement called Birch 
Hall in Withington, and all and every the fields, closes, clausures 
and parcels of land hereafter named, that is to say the Barn Field, 
the Two Oaks, the Seven Acres, the Five Acres, the Long Small 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 87 

Meadow, the Three Acres, the Old Marled Earth, the Wood Field, 
the Wheat Croft, the Fall, the Fighowt and the Calf Croft, to the 
use and behoof of the said George Birch and his assigns for and 
during the term of his natural life ; and after the death of the said 
George Birch, then to the use and behoof of the said Anne, wife of 
the said George Birch, for the term of her life, in lieu and in full 
satisfaction of all and every her dower and jointure during the 
minority of any heir male that may issue, and so long as she keep 
herself unmarried; but if any heir male should attain the age of 
twenty-one years in the life-time of the said Anne Birch, or if the 
said Anne Birch marry again then the estate to be forfeited and to 
be charged with an annual payment of i?30 for her use. 

By this marriage George Birch had issue an only son, Thomas 
Birch, his successor, and a daughter Anne, married in 1 629 to John, 
son and heir of John Kinsey of Blackden in the county of Chester 
Gent. Her marriage-portion " was i?300, being in lewe and full 
recompence and satisfaccon of her childes pte and filiall porcon of 
the goodes and chattells" of her deceased father. 

George Birch died in 1611, having scarcely reached the age of 
thirty years. His will is dated July 28, 1611. He describes himself 
as of Hindley Birche in the county of Lancaster gentleman, " sicke 
in bodye but of good and p'fect remembrance, thankes be given to 
God/' First and principally he commends his soul into the hands 
of Almighty God, trusting to be saved by the blood-shedding and 
passion of Jesus Christ; and his. body he commits to the earth to 
be buried in Jesus Chapel in Manchester Church. He gives and 
•bequeaths towards the repairing of the said Jesus Chapel ten shil- 
lings. To Elizabeth Farsivall he gives ten shillings; and to the 
poor of Manchester parish ten shillings. To Ellis Chadwick of the 
parish of Rochdale he bequeaths forty shillings. And touching the 
rest and residue of all his goods, debts and chattels, his will and 
mind is that they shall be equally divided into three parts, whereof 
he reserves one part to himself, the second he bequeaths to Anne 
Birch his wife, and the third he gives to Anne Birch his daughter. 
He charges his own third part with the payment of his legacies and 



88 A HISTORY OF THE 

funeral expenses ; and the rest and residue of this his third part he 
bequeaths in equal portions to his wife and child. His will and 
mind is that " my brother James Birche shall have all that belongeth 
unto him uppon accompt paid unto him w^in the space of one yeare 
after my deceasse." He gives to his brother William Birch his best 
cloak, and to Thomas Birch his brother his cloak best but one ; all 
the rest and residue of his apparel to be divided amongst his 
brothers. He gives to Mr. Deane of Ripone one gowne and cloth 
to cover the pulpit w^all. And of this his last will and testament 
he makes, constitutes and ordains Mr. Anthonie Higgens, Dean of 
Ripon, Ellis Hey his father-in-law, and Anne Birch his wife his 
true and lawful executors. The will was proved at Chester October 
16, 1611. The inventory of his goods and chattels was under i?200. 
The inquisition post mortem of George Birch, the testator, was 
taken at Manchester on Thursday September 9, 1613, before 
Edward Bigbie Esquire, Eschaetor, by virtue of a writ of the king 
to him directed, on the oaths of Robert Ashton of Shepley Gent., 
Edmund Haworth of Haworth Gent., Francis Wolstenholme of 
Wolstenholme Gent., James Hall of Droylsden Gent., Ralph Butter- 
worth of Woldhouse (?) Gent., Edmund Whitehead of Birchen . . . 
Gent., Richard Bury of Gooden Gent., John Chadwick of Wolsten- 
holme Gent., John Ashton of Herod Gent., Robert Bardesley of 
Ashton-under-Line Gent., Richard Lenny of Rochdale Gent., 
George Buckley of Whitefield Gent., Joseph Scholes of Chadderton 
Gent., Henry Bamford of Shore Gent., and Thomas Bradshawe of 
Salford Gent., jurors ; who say upon their oaths that on the day 
before the death of the said George Birch he was seised in his* 
demesne as of fee, of and in two parts of two messuages called Birch 
Hall, two cottages, three gardens, two orchards, forty acres of land, 
twenty acres of meadow, sixty acres of pasture and ten acres of 
wood, in Birch and Rusholme within Withington in the county of 
Lancaster ; and also of and in the reversion of a third part of the 
aforesaid messuages, cottages, gardens, &c. in Birch and Rusholme 
as aforesaid, after the death of Anne Dokenfield, wife of Francis 
Dokenfield Gent., mother of the aforesaid George Birch deceased. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 89 

And that the said George Birch was seised in his demesne as of fee 
of and in eight acres of wood in Withington, lately occupied with a 
certain messuage called The Holt, in Withington aforesaid ; and of 
and in a moiety of three messuages, three gardens and three tofts in 
Manchester aforesaid. The inquisition next recites the marriage 
covenant of George Birch already given, and then proceeds to say 
that the said George Birch, being seised of all and every the afore- 
said premises, died at Eccles on the 22nd day of August, 9 James I. 
(1611), and that Thomas Birch is son and heir of the aforesaid 
George, and is at the time of the taking of this inquisition of the age 
of five years and four months ; and that the said messuages, lands 
and tenements in Birch and Busholme within the manor of 
Withington are held, and at the time of the decease of the said 
George Birch were held of Rowland Mosley Esquire as of his manor 
of Withington, in free socage, by fealty and a rent of three shillings 
and twopence ; and that the premises named in the aforesaid inden- 
ture are worth yearly in all outgoings clear of deductions twenty 
shillings ; and that the rest of the premises in Withington are worth 
yearly in all outgoings, &c, forty shillings ; and that the aforesaid 
lands and tenements in Withington, lately occupied with the afore- 
said messuage called The Holt, is held of the said Rowland Mosley 
Esquire as of his manor of Withington, by knight's service, namely, 
by the fiftieth part of a knight's fee and a rent of twopence, and is 
worth yearly in all outgoings, &c, six shillings and eightpence ; and 
that the aforesaid messuages and lands in Manchester are held of 
the said Rowland Mosley Esquire as of his manor of Manchester, 
by knight's service, namely by the fiftieth part of a knight's fee and 
a yearly rent of twelve pence ; and at the time of the death of the 
said George were held of Sir Nicholas Mosley, now deceased, as of 
his manor of Manchester a like payment, and are worth yearly in 
all outgoings, &c, ten shillings. And the aforesaid jurors further 
say that the said Anne Birch widow, late wife of the said George 
Birch, is now surviving and in fall life at Manchester ; and that the 
said Anne, wife of the aforesaid Francis Dokenfield, is surviving 
and in fall life at Manchester ; and that the .aforesaid Anne and 

N 



«.» 



90 A HISTORY OF THE 

the aforesaid Ellis Hey have received the outgoings and profits of 
the lands, tenements and premises from the time of the death of 
the aforesaid George up to the day of the taking of this inquisition. 
And the jurors further say that the aforesaid George Birch had no 
other or more manors, messuages, lands, tenements or heredita- 
ments, on the day of his death as far as they could ascertain. 

Thomas Birch, on succeeding to the estates of the family at the 
death of his father, had but attained the age of three years. He was 
born in 1608, and baptised at Eccles on the 5th of June in that year. 
He lived in the eventful days of Charles I., and in the civil dissen- 
sions of that unsettled period espoused the popular side. At the 
commencement of the war he offered his active services to the Par- 
liament, and on the 13th of June 1642 received from Lord Wharton 
his commission as captain in a regiment of foot. On the 15 th of 
January following, a circumstance occurred which brought him in 
collision with one of the royalist leaders Lord Strange, afterwards 
Earl of Derby, and laid the foundation of a personal hostility to that 
nobleman, which was never afterwards extinguished. On the 
occasion of a banquet given in Manchester to Lord Strange, a number 
of adherents to the royalist cause accompanied him thither, — the 
high sheriff, Lord Molineux, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Sir Gilbert 
Hoghton, Mr. Holt of Stubley, Mr. Farrington, Mr. Prestwich, 
Mr. Tildesley, &c. It is probable that this assemblage had some 
political significance, and was an expression of sympathy towards 
Lord Strange, whose recent appointment by the king to the lieute- 
nancy of the county had been annulled by the parliament in favour 
of their own partisan Lord Wharton. Be this as it may, they were 
met by an armed band, headed by Captain Birch, who disputed 
their passage, and gave orders to his men to fire upon them. This, 
the rain (which was falling heavily at the time) prevented, putting 
out their matches, and the royalists taking courage repelled the 
attack, and forced their assailants to disperse, "Captain Birch hiding 
himself under a cart which happened to be standing in the street. 
This event gained for him the sobriquet of " Lord Derby's carter," 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 91 



and is the cause assigned by Seacombe 1 for Birch's malice towards 
Lord Derby, which, whenever an opportunity occurred, was too 
apparent to pass unnoticed. On the 14th of December in that year 
he received from Lord Wharton his commission as major in the 
regiment of Colonel Ralph Assheton. His first distinction was his 
success before Preston on the 13th of February 1643, which town 
he and his companions in arms, Major-General Sir John Seaton, 
Colonel Holland, Major Sparrow and Captain Booth carried by 
storm. Their march thither was from Manchester on the 10th 
instant, and their forces consisted of three companies of foot, to 
which about double that number of troops was added from Bolton 
and Blackburn. The assault lasted for two hours, and was attended 
with considerable loss on both sides. Amongst the killed were 
Adam Morte, mayor of Preston, and his son ; Captain Hoghton 
(brother of Sir Gilbert Hoghton), Major Purvey, &c. The prisoners 
numbered two hundred, including Captain Farrington, Captain 
Preston, Mr. George Talbot (son of Sir John Talbot), Mr. Richard 
Fleetwood, Mr. Blundell, Mr. Thomas Hoghton and Captain 
Hoghton (nephews of Sir Gilbert Hoghton), Lady Hoghton and 
Lady Girlington. From Preston Major Birch proceeded to Lan- 
caster, which surrendered to him almost without resistance. 

On the 15th of March following he was appointed colonel of a 
foot regiment by Ferdinando Lord Fairfax, and in April he was 
named as one of the committee of sequestrations for Lancashire, 
"for sequestering the estates of notorious delinquents." In June 
1644 the town of Liverpool, stormed by Prince Rupert, was retaken 
after the lapse of a few days by the parliamentary forces, and Colonel 
Birch was appointed governor. 

For the next five years his name does not occur in any of the 
enterprises undertaken. His connection with Liverpool continued 
unbroken, and in October 1649 he was elected to represent that 
constituency in parliament in place of Sir Richard Wynn deceased. 

About this time his duties as sequestrator brought him into con- 
tact with Humphrey Chetham, the founder, and that in relation to 

1 House of Stanley, p. 188. 



92 A HISTORY OF THE 

his then contemplated foundation. Having matured his plans, Mr. 
Ghetham was desirous of purchasing certain lands in Manchester 
called the College, late the property of the Earl of Derby, but then 
under sequestration ; and to this end he applied to the committee 
for sequestrations, to whom a petition was addressed, and the follow- 
ing answer prepared : — Whereas there is a howse and outhowseing 
with th' appurtenances in Manchester, called the Golledge, which 
was sequestred as parte of the inheritance of the Earle of Derbie, the 
which have yeilded noe profit to the publicke duringe the tyme the 
same hath bin sequestred nor is likelie to doe unles the same bee 
repaired which will require a great sume of money, the same beinge 
very ruinous and in greate decay as wee are informed ; and whereas 
Humfrey Ghetham Esquire hath desired the same to bee employed 
for a pious use, viz 1 for an habitacon for some poore children or aged 
and infirme ould folkes, which hee intends to manteine and provide 
for at his owne costes and charges, and will make the same or some 
partes thereof habitable and fitte for that purpose ; — Wee whose 
names are subscribed of the comittee of sequestrations for the countie 
of Lancaster, beinge willinge to further soe good a worke, doe give 
way and leave soe farre as in us lyes to the said Mr. Chetham to 
have and use the said colledge howse with th' appurtenances to and 
for the use and purpose aforesaid; whereunto wee doe the rather 
consent for that wee are thereunto sollicited by some of the cheife 
inhabitantes of the townes of Manchester aforesaid and Salford in 
the said countie of Lancaster. In witnes whereof wee have hereunto 
set our handes the tenthe daie of September anno Dni 1649. 

This document was signed by Peter Egerton, John Starkie, 
Thomas Fell and Edward Butterworth. On its being submitted to 
Golonel Birch for his signature, he refused to append it unless Mr. 
Ghetham would pledge himself to apply the premises named to the 
purpose indicated; he therefore returned the paper, having first 
inscribed on the margin the following memorandum : — September 
20th 1649. I, Humphrey Ghethem Esquire, do undertake to main- 
taino twentie poore people at the colledge, viz. aged persons w th 
[blank] ev'ie one p ann. and younge boyes to learninge w tb allow- 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIBCH. 93 

ance of [blank] p ann. ffor w^ purpose I will settle a durable and 
constant estate of this value out of lands for ever as assurance to that 
purpose may be thought fitt and drawne up by councell learned in 
the lawes. In pnce and witnes of [blank] . 

This insolent dictation led to a temporary abandonment of Mr. 
Chetham's design, that worthy individual justly regarding Colonel 
Birch's refusal as a suspicion that his motives were corrupt. The 
original document is still preserved in the Chetham library. Be- 
neath Colonel Birch's proposal, which has been cut out but after- 
wards restored, are two explanatory memoranda : — Mem. That the 
forementioned termes and conditions were pposed by Mr. Tho. Birch 
of Birch Chappell to Mr. Chetham when James Lightbowne &c. 
were sent to the said Tho. Birch for his hand and consent (hee 
being then a comittee man for sequestration) w ch said pposalls when 
Mr. Chetham saw them was much offended that Mr. Birch should 
bee soe lordly to comand ov r soe charitable an intention, and there- 
fore did refuse to buy the colledge. 

Mem. When Majo r Radcliff one of y* ffeofees saw the aboves d 
sawcie pposell of the said Tho. Birtch, hee cutt it forth as may app r , 
w« h is still p'served that if this in after ages bee taken notice of it 
may and will appeare that always the greatest pretenders for refor- 
mation doe not prove reformers. 

The whole is endorsed, — " The Order ffor the Colledg from the 
Comittee hindred by Mr. Birtch. Let this be kept for a lasting 
monument.'" 

On the 5th of November 1649 Colonel Birch again rendered him- 
self conspicuous as a sequestrator by a forcible attempt to seize upon 
the revenues of the Church of Manchester. Warden Heyrick having 
refused to give up peaceable possession, Colonel Birch placed himself 
at the head of a company of soldiers, and having broken open the 
door of the chapter house, compelled the surrender of the charter 
chest, the contents of which, says Walker, "were sent up to 
London, where they perished in the fire, to the great detriment of 
the college." 1 

1 Sufferings of the Clergy r , p. 88. See also Foundations in Manchester, ?ol. i. pp. 298-4. 



94 A HISTORY OF THE 

Colonel Birch's name next appears in the month of February 
following as governor of Liverpool, when he submitted to the House 
of Commons a proposition for raising the necessary funds for 
strengthening the garrison of Liverpool. The sum of i?600 had 
been already voted for that purpose, and Colonel Birch's recommen- 
dation to parliament was "that power may be given to the said 
Thomas Birch, Captain William Duckenfield, Peter Ambrose and 
Giles Meadowcroft, Gentlemen, or any two of them, to grant and 
renew so many leases for three lives, according to former rates, unto 
such of the Earl of Derby's tenants in Lancashire who have faith- 
fully adhered to the parliament in the late wars, as may forthwith 
raise and extend to the sum of jP600, by the said Colonel Birch to 
be employed for the use aforesaid. 1 ' 1 

In December 1650, by a vote of the House, arrears of pay to the 
amount of i? 1,80 5 13s. 8d. were awarded to Colonel Birch, being 
after the rate of fifteen shillings a day as captain, twenty-four 
shillings as major, and forty-five shillings as colonel. It does not, 
however, appear that this sum, though awarded, was actually paid ; 
for in January 1651-2 reference is again made to it as still owing, 
and as being about to be allowed to him "as so much doubled 
monies in the purchase of any lands of delinquents." 

The year 1651 was memorable to Colonel Birch as affording him 
the long sought for opportunity of retaliating on Lord Strange (now 
Earl of Derby) for the discomfiture he had already suffered at his 
hands. After the disastrous battle of Worcester, the earl retracing 
his steps towards Lancashire, on his way thither encountered a 
troop of the enemies' horse, by whom he was taken prisoner. " The 
terms on which he surrendered were that he should have quarter 
given him for life, and condition for honourable usage; but being 
now in his enemies' hands, Bradshaw, Bigby and Birch design him 

to be a victim to their inveterate malice Birch, because his 

lordship had trailed him under a hay-cart at Manchester, by which 
he got even among his own party the deserved epithet of the Earl of 
Derby's carter. /These three, assisted by Sir Bichard Houghton, 

1 Commons* Journals, toL ri. pp. 366-7. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 95 

representing to Cromwell how unsafe it would be not only to that 
country but to the whole nation to suffer t^at man to live, got a 
commission to try him by a pretended court-martial, the result of 
which was that he was beheaded at Bolton," 1 October 15, 1651. 

In the month of November 1651, within a few days of the Earl of 
Derby's execution, Colonels Birch and Dukinfield were despatched 
to the Isle of Man to summon the countess, who had escaped thither 
for refuge, to surrender the island for the use of the parliament. On 
the 2nd of November they stormed the Castle of fiushin and Peter 
Castle, and by the treachery of an officer named Christian, to whom 
the deceased earl had committed the keeping of his wife and 
children, the island was surrendered, and the countess and her 
children were given up to the invaders, who refused her request that 
she might be permitted to retire to Peel Castle, and with her family 
thence to embark to France or Holland. 2 They were conveyed in 
the first instance to the castle of Liverpool, where Colonel Birch was 
their gaoler, but were afterwards sent to Chester Castle as a place of 
greater security. 

In 1653 Colonel Thomas Birch was again returned by the consti- 
tuency of Liverpool, in Cromwell's second parliament, which met on 
the 4th of July. Their deliberations were but short, the session 
being abruptly terminated by its dissolution on the 12th of the 
following December. In the succeeding parliament the name of 
Colonel Thomas Birch appears, and again as the representative for 
Liverpool. This was the parliament which conferred on Cromwell 
the title of Lord Protector ; its sitting terminated January 22, 1656. 
In September 1656 he was again returned for Liverpool, but was 
not permitted to take his seat, the Lord Protector having exercised 
an assumed right of rejecting such of the members elected as were 
not wholly favourable to his views, Colonel Birch being of the 
number. In common with the other secluded members (upwards of 
a hundred) he signed the remonstrance to the Protector. His name 
appears in the parliament summoned by Richard Cromwell, which 
met in 1659 ; and on the 4th of July in that year, after the reading 

1 Seacombe'a House of Stanlsy, pp. 114-115. 2 Ibid, pp. 143-144. 



96 A HISTORY OP THE 

of a long report about the demolition of the castle of Liverpool, 
wherein Colonel Walton reports from the Council of State that it 
will be for the service of the State that the said castle be demolished 
and made untenable, together with the walls and towers; it was 
resolved that this house doth agree with the Council of State that 
the castle of Liverpool and the walls thereof be demolished and the 
towers made untenable, and that i?35 mentioned in the report as 
the estimated value of the lead and materials thereof be forthwith 
paid unto Walter Frost, Esquire, for the use of the Commonwealth, 
and that the dwelling-house therein with the site and materials of 
the said castle be conveyed unto Colonel Thomas Birch and his 
heirs in consideration of the demolishing thereof and for recompence 
of his charges therein. 1 On the 11th of August he received per- 
mission from the House to go into the country, and on the 22nd of 
that month a letter from him was read before the House, written 
from North wich in Cheshire, announcing the defeat of Sir George 
Booth, in which affair it is presumed Colonel Birch was engaged. 
He is found also on several committees about this time, for reviving 
the jurisdiction of the counties palatine of Chester and Lancaster, 
and for settling the militia of London, on which latter committee 
Colonel John Birch his kinsman was one of his associates. It does 
not appear that he had a seat in parliament after the Restoration ; 
his name only occurs in relation to a past transaction, involving the 
privileges of parliament: — On the 30th of June 1660 Sir Ralph 
Assheton acquainted the House that a person who sat in the last par- 
liament took a bond of J? 100 for the doing of some particular service 
in the House ; upon which it was resolved that Sir Ralph Assheton 
be required to name the person; whereupon Sir Ralph Assheton 
named Thomas Birch of Liverpool. 2 

1 Commons' Journals, toI. yii. p. 704. 

9 The muster-rolls of this date contain an order on Colonel Birch for one light 
horse. The summons addressed to him is as follows : — 

By yertue of a wan* under y* hand and seale of y* Bight honerable Charles Earle 
of Derby, dated 9 th Octobris instant, to us directed and a list thereunto annexed 
whereby yo* are oharged with one light horse, yo u are hereby required to furnish and 
send out y* said light horse eompleatly armed and in all poyntes fitt for service, to y* 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 97 

Thus closed the public career of Colonel Thomas Birch as far as 
can now be gathered. He lived for some years after his retirement, 
and died in 1678, in the seventy-first year of his age. His inventory 1 
is dated August 14, 1678. It estimates the " value of his goods 
and chattels" at i?184 13s. lid., but contains nothing entitling 
it to a more extended notice. We may form, however, some 
idea of the size of Birch Hall, the residence of the family, in 
Colonel Birch's time, from an enumeration of the apartments which 
the inventory supplies: — The hall, the garden parlour, the little 
parlour, the white chamber, the middlemost room, the' painted 
chamber, the dining room, the red chamber, Mrs. Birch's chamber, 
old Mrs. Birch's chamber, the yellow chamber, the old wench's 
chamber. 2 

renderous at Bury on Thursday the 18 th of this instant Ootober by one of the clocke 
in y* after noone, there to receive further orders from Thomas Greenehaulgh Esq™ 
who is appoynted their captaine, and yo* are further required to send with your sayd 
hone 30 dayes pay after 2" p' diem j hereof faile not at your perill. — Given under 
our handes this 11 th day of Ootober 1660. 

Your Ioy. friends 

To Collonell Birch, theise p r sent. 

1 The will of Colonel Birch is not to be found either in the Diocesan Registry of 
Chester or at Doctor's Commons ; nor is any copy of it known to exist. 

3 Birch Hall as it now is, if not altogether modern, has yet been so modernised as 
to present no features of attraction to the antiquarian investigator. Portions of the 
original structure yet remaining show it to have been one of the black and white 
half-timbered houses so common in Lancashire. 

From a MS. in the autograph of Colonel Birch it appears that the distance between 
Birch Chapel and the Collegiate Church of Manchester was about four miles. This 
was in 1640, when the route lay over Ardwiok Green. Marche 9th 1640. A true and 
p'fecte note of the distance betwene Birche Chappell and the Churche of Manchester 
after 5 yeardes and an halfe to the pole and 320 poles to a mile, beinge measured the 
day and yeare above written, the ordinarie lane way thorough Birchall ffould, and so 
to Ardwick Greene ; — it is in all just 4 miles and 52 poles, viz. 

ffirst to the yate gowing out of the medowe into the lane by the horsepoole from 
the Chappell is 80 poles, w ch is a q r t r of a mile. 

Thence to the yate gowinge out of Anne Edges ffould is another q r t r . 

Thence to the Brouke short of Busholme is halfe a mile — all w ch make one mile. 

Thence to the midle of the greene is at Ed. Baguleyes house is 1 q r t r . 

o 



98 A HISTORY OF THE 

He married in October 1623 Alice, eldest daughter of Thomas 
Brooke of Norton in the county of Chester Esq., and by her had 
issue Thomas Birch his eldest son, George, Matthew, Andrew, and 
Peter the twin brother of Andrew, of whom more hereafter ; and 
five daughters, Anne wife of Alexander Rigby of Burgh Esq., 
Alice wife of John Robinson of Bruckshaw Esq., Ellena wife of 
Thomas Holcroft of Hurst Esq., Mary and Deborah. 

His wife survived him, dying in 1697. Her will is dated 
September 23, 1 696, and is as follows : — In the name of God amen. 
I, Alice Birch, widdow of Thomas Birch Esquire of Birch in Lan- 
cashire, being in perfect memory and understanding but decaied in 
strength, doe upon the twenty- third day of September 1696, make 
this my last will and testament, revoking all others whatsoever. 
First I humbly commend my soul to God who gave it, in sure and 
certain hopes of his merciful 1 acceptance through the mediation of 
Jesus Christ our only mediator and advocate. And as for my body 
£ desire it may be decently interred by my late beloved husband at 
the discretion of my executor. Item I do hereby constitute, appoint 
and declare my son George Birch, now living with me, to be my 
true and lawfull executor to all intents and purposes, to demand and 
receive all rights, profits and emoluments w ch shall be due unto me, 
and to discharge all due debts and claims to which I am subject at 
my death. Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved children 
now surviving or that shall survive at my decease, to each a gold 
ring of twenty shillings value, to be kept in memory of me their 

Thence to Tho: Sholmerdine his Brickkilne is another 1 q r t r . 

Thence to the little Flat tinge beyond John Daries house is 1 q r t r . 

Thence to the furthest tree in Raphe Hndsons farthest feild upon the right hand is 

1 q T t r , w ck makes another mile — viz. 2 miles, 
firom thence to Edward Richardson alias Wolworke his house as we come to Ard- 

wicke Greene is 3 q r t n of a mile and 48 poles. 
From Edward Wolworkes house to Manchester Churche is one mile one quarter 

and 4 poles. 

So that the Totall is ut supradict' 4 miles and 52 poles. 

From the House of Birche to Manchesf Churche is as neere as possibly be 4 miles 

of this measure and this way. 

By mee Tho: Birche. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 99 

mother. Item I give to my servant Ann Wilkinson, for her good 
and faithful services, one year's wages over and above her just arrears 
at my death. Witnesses : Pet. Birch, William Birch, Sarah High- 
way. Proved at Chester August 31, 1697. 

Colonel Birch was succeeded by his eldest son Thomas, who was 
baptised at the Collegiate Church October 15, 1629, and was conse- 
quently in his fiftieth year. He married in December 1658 Beatrix, 
daughter of William Cotton of Bellaport in the county of Salop 
Esquire. He was much addicted to antiquarian studies. Many of 
his MSS. were in the possession of Gregson, some of them being 
printed by that author in his Fragments Relating to Lancashire. 
The date of his death is unknown, but he was dead in 1 700. He 
had issue three sons, — George, eldest son and heir, died unmarried 
and intestate in 1704, being at the time high sheriff of the county of 
Lancaster; his inventory is dated June 19, 1704; it estimates the 
total value of his " goods and chattels 11 at £136 7s. 6d. ; Thomas, 
a captain in the Earl of Orrery's regiment, who succeeded to the 
estates on the death of his brother, but who also died unmarried ; 
and William, to whom the estates descended on the death of his 
brother; living in 1723, but died also unmarried. He had issue also 
eight daughters, of whom Elizabeth was the wife of the Rev. John 
Tetlow, minister of Birch Chapel. Joyce Birch, her sister, makes 
her will April 28, 1704. She describes herself as of Birch in the 
county of Lancaster, spinster. She commits her soul to God and 
her body to Christian burial in such decent manner as shall seem 
meet to her executor. And for her worldly estate she orders, gives 
and disposes of the same in manner and form following : — First it 
is her will and mind that her funeral expenses be paid out of her 
whole estate. Also it is her will that all and every the sum and 
sums of money left and given unto her by William Cotton of 
Bellowport in the county of Salop Esquire, deceased, and now 
remaining in his executors 1 hands (viz. William Oldfelt Esquire and 
Philip Cotton Esquire) shall be disposed of as follows: She gives 
and bequeaths all and every the said sum and sums of money to her 
two affectionate brothers George and Thomas Birch, to be equally 



100 A HISTORY OF THE 

divided betwixt them. She appoints her said loving and affectionate 
brother George Birch of Birch Esquire her sole executor. Proved 
at Chester June 23, 1 704. 

George Birch, eldest son and heir of Thomas Birch the younger, 
on succeeding to the estates, mortgaged in 1701 Birch Hall and the 
demesne to his uncle Dr. Peter Birch, the sum borrowed on security 
of the lands being ,£1,000; and in October 1702 he charged his 
lands with a further mortgage of <£250. On the 25th of February 
1703 he re-settled his estates, limiting them to the use of himself for 
his life, and to such further uses as he should by his will appoint, 
with remainder to his brothers Thomas Birch and William Birch in 
succession, with further remainder to the Rev. Peter Birch D.D. 
He died, as already stated, without issue and intestate ; and upon 
the death of his brothers Thomas and William, also without issue, 
the estates reverted to the Rev. Peter Birch D.D., their father's 
younger brother. To this member of the family Anthony Wood 
refers. 1 He was son of Thomas Birch of the ancient and genteel 
family of the Birches of Birch in Lancashire. He was born in 
that county; educated in Presbyterian principles, and afterwards 
retiring with Andrew his brother to Oxford in 1670, they lived as 
sojourners in the house of John Foulks, an apothecary, in St. Mary's 
parish, became students in the public library, and had a tutor to 
instruct them in philosophical learning, but yet did not wear gowns. 
At length Peter, leaving Oxford for a time, did afterwards return 
with a mind to conform and wear a gown. Whereupon Dr. John 
Fell, taking cognizance of the matter, he procured certain letters 
from the Chancellor of the University in his behalf, which being 
read in a Convocation held May 6, 1673, you shall have the contents 
of them as they follow : — Peter Birch, whom these letters concern, 
did lately live among you, not so regularly either in relation to the 
church or the government of the University as he ought, yet withall, 
as I have understood, that before he went from among you, he 
declared his conformity to the church by receiving the sacrament 
publicly. Immediately after he was called away by his father, with 

1 Athena Oxonienses, rol. iv. p. 659, 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 101 

whom he hath with great importunity prevailed to permit him to 
return to the University (though he was pressed to go to Cambridge, 
where he was sometime since matriculated), choosing to testify his 
change of mind and receive his education there, where he had 
formerly lived a dissenter. "lis my desire that he may be bachelor 
of arts after he has performed his exercises, and to compute his time 
from his matriculation in Cambridge, &c. The Chancellor then told 
the venerable Convocation in his said letters, — That when so many 
run away from the church you would think fit to encourage one who 
addresseth himself a free and thorough convert, &c. After the said 
letters were read there was some clamour in the house against the 
passing of them ; and Ralph Bawson of Brazennose College, con- 
cerning himself more than the rest in the matter (for he said openly 
that fanatics are now encouraged and loyalists set aside, &c), he got 
the ill-will of Dr. John Fell, who always showed himself forward in 
gaining proselytes, Dr. B. Bathurst and others of that mind. On 
the 12th day of the said month of May 1673, Peter Birch was 
matriculated as a member of Christ Church, he being then about 
twenty-one years of age, and being soon after admitted bachelor of 
arts he was made one of the chaplains or petty canons of that house 
by the said Dr. Fell. Afterwards he proceeded in arts, preached 
several times in and near Oxford, was curate of St Thomas's parish, 
afterwards rector of St. Ebbe's Church for a time, and a lecturer at 
Carfax ; and being recommended to the service of James Duke of 
Ormond, he was by him made one of his chaplains. Afterwards 
he became minister of St. James's Church within the liberty of 
Westminster, chaplain to the House of Commons in 1689, and 
prebend of Westminster in the place of Dr. Simon Patrick, pro- 
moted to the see of Chichester, in which dignity he was installed 
the 18th of October the same year. He graduated B.A. 1673, 
M.A. 1674, B.D. 1683, and D.D. 1688. Dr. Birch published 
several sermons : — 1 . Sermon before the House of Commons 
on John xxvi. 3, printed at the Savoy, 1689 ; 2. Sermon before 
the House of Commons January 30, 1693, on 2 Sam. i. 21, 
London 1694, in the 20th page of which were several expressions 



102 A HISTORY OF THE 

which caused some of the said house, ad was then reported, to cry 
out " Ad Ignem." On the 20th of February following was published 
an answer to the latter sermon, entitled " A Birchen Bod for Dr. 
Birch, or some animadversions upon his sermon preached before the 
Honourable House of Commons at St. Margaret's, Westminster, 
January 30, 1693," &c. 

He married Sybil, youngest daughter and coheir of Humphrey 
Wyrley of Hampstead in the county of Stafford Esquire, by whom 
he had issue two sons, Humphrey Birch and John Wyrley Birch. 

He died in 1710. His will is dated June 27, 1710, and is aa 
follows : — 

In the name of God amen. I, Peter Birch, Doctor of Divinity 
and Prebendary of St. Peter's Church, Westminster, being sick and 
weak in body but of sound and perfect understanding (praised be 
Almighty God for the same) do make this my last will in manner 
following. First I give and bequeath to my eldest son Humphrey 
all my real estate, manors, messuages, cottages, lands, tenements, 
hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever or wheresoever within 
the counties of Stafford and Warwick, and to his heirs for ever, 
paying yearly out of the same to my youngest son John i?200 at 
two even payments ; to wit at Michaelmas and Lady Day ; the first 
payment to be made at which of the said days shall first happen next 
after my decease, my said eldest son subjecting himself to the settle- 
ment made before my marriage with his mother, who was the 
youngest daughter of Humphrey Wyrley of Hamstead in the parish 
of Handsworth and said county of Stafford Esquire, now deceased. 
Item I give all my real estate, mortgages, leases, manors, messuages, 
cottages, lands, tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances what- 
soever in the county of Lancaster or elsewhere in the kingdom of 
Great Britain, and not before devised, to my eldest son ; and also all 
my goods, cattells and chattells of what kind soever the same be, to 
my said youngest son John and his heirs and assigns for ever. And 
I hereby revoke all former wills by me made; and I do hereby 
make and appoint my dear sister Deborah Birch sole executrix of 
this my last will, and guardian to both my said sons until they shall 



Thomas Birch. 
7 Hon. VI. (1428.) 




a Birch. 
III. (1632.) 



Thoraaa Birch. 
A Priest 



et Birch. 
en. VIII. 



Jennet Birch. 
24 Hen. VIII. 

(1682.) 



lirch. 

X • • • •• 

- LiT- 
idow 



Jennet Birch. 
1696. 



1, 



Anne Birch. 
Liring in 1696 
and 1616 un- 
married. 



r- 



£ 



B 

4 



I 
§ 




Alice Birch. 
Marr. John 
Robinson of 
Bruckshaw, 
Esq. Mar- 
riage license 
dated Mays, 
1664. 



L 



Mary Birch. 



EUena Birch. 
Marr. Thomas 
Holeroft^Esq. 



Deborah Birch. 
Living unmar- 
ried in 1710. 



son and 
Died in 
unmarru 

being tm 
High 8bf 
of L»n< 

Hisadi 

granted 

brother' 
June S3* 



| — John Wyrley Birch, — Jane, dan. of John Lane of Bentley, 
took the name W; r- Esq , by Mary, dan. and coheir of 
ley. Born 1710. Died Humphrey Wyrley of Hampstead* 
•.p. in 1776. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 103 

severally attain to the age of odg and twenty years, and I beg she 
will take care of the education of them, and forthwith take them into 
her care and custody for that purpose. And my mind and will is 
that she shall receive and gather all the rents of all my estate by 
herself and agents, and out of the same for her trouble and care 
thereabouts she shall receive and take to her own use during her 
natural life, without rendering any account for the same, one 
hundred pounds yearly at Michaelmas and Lady Day by even 
portions, the first at which of the said feasts shall first happen next 
after my decease. And my mind and will is further that in case 
she shall depart this life before my said sons shall attain to the age 
of one and twenty years, that then my friend Nicholas Geast of the 
parish of Handsworth in the said county of Stafford shall be 
guardian, and have the guardianship of both my said sons until they 
shall attain to the several ages of twenty-one years ; and I desire he 
will take care of the education of them and forthwith take them into 
his care and custody for that purpose ; and my mind and will is then 
that he shall by himself or agents receive and take all my rents of 
all my said estate, and manage the same to the best advantage of my 
said sons, taking thereout only «P100 per annum for his care and 
trouble thereabouts until they and both of them shall attain to the 
said age of twenty-one years, without rendering any account thereof. 
And my mind and will is further, that all the charges and expenses 
whatsoever that either my said sister or the said Nicholas Geast 
shall be put to or expend in and about the managing my said estate 
or education or maintenance of my said children or anyways relating 
to either, shall be paid and allowed to them or both or either of them 
out of my said estate. And my mind and will is that neither my 
mother-in-law, Mrs. Wyrley, nor any of the family of the Wroths 
shall have anything whatsoever to do with the guardianship of my 
said children or the management of my said estate or any part 
thereof. And I desire my said friend Nicholas Geast will assist my 
said sister. In witness whereof, &o. Proved in the Prerogative 
Court of Canterbury January 15, 1710-11. 

On the death of Dr. Peter Birch he was succeeded in his estates 



104 A HISTORY OF THE 

by his son Humphrey, who took the name of Wyrley. In 1743 he 
executed a deed barring the entail of the estates, and the following 
year, for the consideration of the payment of i?6,000, conveyed 
Birch Hall and one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land to George 
Croxton of Manchester, merchant. From Mr. Oroxton it passed in 
1745 to Mr. John Dickenson of Manches'ter, merchant, in whose 
representative, Sir John William Hamilton Anson Bart., it is now 
vested. The arms of Birch of Birch are described by Dugdale as 
azure 3 fleurs-de-lis with a serpent entwined proper. Baines, in his 
pedigree of the family (History of Lancashire, vol. ii. p. 537) has 
incorrectly substituted the arms of Birch of Birch or Bruch near 
Warrington. 

The town residence of the Dickensons, successors of the old 
local family at Birch, was situated in Market-street Lane. Here 
Mr. John Dickenson, the purchaser of the Birch Hall estate, lodged 
and entertained the Pretender on the occasion of his visit to Man- 
chester in 1745. It is stated that the bed on which he lay was 
removed to Birch Villa, where it was sold a few years ago on the 
death of Miss Dickenson. The house itself in Market-street, from 
the circumstance, received the name of the Palace. It was after- 
wards converted into an inn, when it was known as the " Palace 
Inn." It has more recently been rebuilt as a warehouse, and now 
bears the designation of the " Palace Buildings." 



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106 A HISTORY OF THE 

A branch of the Birch family settled in Ardwick within Manchester 
parish and entered a pedigree at the visitation of Sir William Dugdale 
in 1 664. The precise point from which they spring is not ascertained, 
but their claim of descent was admitted, and the same arms were 
accorded to them as those borne by the Birches of Birch, differenced 
by a trefoil on the crest and a canton or in the arms. Samuel Birch 
of Ardwick Gent, resided there about the time of the Restoration. 
He married Mary Smith of Dob in the parish of Manchester, at 
whose death in 1660 the Rev. Henry Newcome preached her funeral 
sermon, and from the published diary of this celebrated divine we 
learn that on March 22, 1662, he had a "precious day" with Mr. 
Samuel Birch, who had then recently purchased the Ordsal estate, 
and removed thither. 

Mr. Birch died in 1668-9, and was buried at the Collegiate 
Church. His will is dated July 8, 1667, and is as follows: — In 
the name of God amen. I, Samuell Birche, of Ardwicke in the 
county of Lancaster Gentleman, beinge weake in body but of perfect 
mynd and memorie, thankes bee to Almighty God for the same, 
and knowinge the uncertainty of this transitory life, and that all 
flesh must yeild unto death when it shall please God to call, doe 
constitute, ordayne, make and appoint this my last will and testa- 
ment in manner and forme following : And I doe hereby revoke and 
disannull all will and wills, testament and testaments heretofore by 
mee made and declared either by word or wrytinge, and this is onely 
to bee taken for my last will and testament, and none other, ffirst 
and principally I committ my soule into the hands of Almighty God, 
trustinge through the meritts of Jesus Christ to bee eternally saved ; 
and my body to the earth, expectinge a joyfull resurrection, to bee 
buryed in such decent and Christian manner as to my executor 
hereafter herein nominated shall bee thought meete and convenient. 
And for the estate which it hath pleased God to bestowe upon mee 
my mynd and will is and I give and dispose of the same in manner 
followinge, that is to say, ffirst I give and bequeath unto the poore 
the summe of tenn pounds to bee distributed amongst them at the 
tyme of my interrment at the discretion of my executor out of my 
whole personall estate, and in his absence att the discretion of my 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 107 

Bonnes Samuell Birch, John Bent, Edward Eatcliffe and Peeter 
Antrobus Gentlemen. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne 
John Birch of Whittebourne in the county of Hereford Esq 1 * all my 
lands, tenements, leases, and all deeds, evidences, wrytings and 
rescripts touching and concerninge the same. Item I give unto my 
said sonne John Birch all the standinge bedds, all the wainscottes 
and all the tables w th in my house, and all the stone troughs, hewen 
stone, the ladders and all the screw presses in and about the house. 
And for all the rest and residue of my personall estate, goods, 
cattells, moneys and plate, my mynd and will is the same to bee 
devided into ffoure equall parts ; and I give and bequeath the same 
to bee equally devided and distributed amongst my four children ; 
that is to say, Shusanna Bent, Elizabeth Antrobus, Sarah Eatcliffe 
and Thomas Birch, clarke. And lastly, I doe hereby constitute, 
ordayne, nominate and appoint my dearest sonne John Birch of 
Whittbourne in the county of Hereford Esq™ to bee the sole executor 
of this my last will and testament, hopinge hee will duely execute 
the same. In witnes whereof I the said Samuell Birch have here- 
unto sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written. 
Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my dearest sonne John Birch the 
clocke and bell with all thinges belonginge unto the same, before the 
sealinge and delivery hereof. And whereas I have since my decla- 
ration of this my will, and before this day, given to my daughters 
Elisabeth and Sarah either twentie poundes, with an intent that they 
should in consideracon thereof give full discharges for any demand of 
any part of my personall estate at my decease, which discharge being 
not yet given to my content, my mind and will now is that my two 
daughters aforesaid shall have no part of my personall estate other 
then what shall amount unto above twentie pounds a peice for my 
sonne Thomas Birche and my daughter Susanna Bente to equall 
them with theire other sisters, and then the overplus, whatever it 
may be, to bee devided in four equall parts, as I have said before, 
and to my four children paid or delivered, my debts, legacies and 
funerall charges first paid out by my executor herein named. 

Witnesses, Edmund Pesivall, Edward Hartley, John Halle. 

The sum total of the inventory is but £93 13s. Ojd. 



108 A HISTORY OP THE 

The eldest surviving son of the testator, designated by the will as 
John Birch of Whitbourae, was the celebrated Colonel John Birch, 
an officer in the Parliamentary Forces, who took an active part in 
the occurrences of the eventful period in which he lived. He was 
born in 1616 (not 1626 as erroneously stated in Burke), and was 
baptised at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, on the 7th of April 
in that year. It is reported of him that in his youth, being of great 
stature, he enlisted in the army, and that on the circumstance being 
made known to his kinsman, the afterwards celebrated Colonel 
Thomas Birch of Birch Hall, ho was received with favour, and his 
promotion was rapid. Be this, however, as it may, in 1 643 he had 
risen to the rank of major, and on the 14th of October 1 644, a petition 
from Colonel John Birch was presented to the House of Commons, 
praying to have as satisfaction for the sum of i? 1,500 lent in the 
service of the state, such property of one Henry Hudson, a delin- 
quent, as is not already discovered. In May 1645 he was in 
command of the Kentish regiment at Plymouth, and became later in 
the year, by a vote of the house, governor of Bridgewater, subject to 
the approval of Sir Thomas Fairfax and the concurrence of the 
House of Lords. About this time too he entered parliament as 
member for Weobley, under which date and in which capacity he is 
alluded to by Oldmixon (vol. i. p. 299), who asserts the general 
moderation of his political opinions ; that he sometimes voted with 
the Presbyterians and sometimes with the Independents ; and gene- 
rally went with those who voted for satisfaction and security till it 
was known that Oliver and his party meant the death of the king by 
it. On the 1st of September 1645, with Colonel Pride for his 
associate, he was at the siege of Bristol; and in the month of 
December he and Colonel Morgan, uniting their forces, took the 
city of Hereford by stratagem, sending into the city at night six men 
disguised as labourers. These surprised the sentinels, and being 
seconded, by a sudden assault, in which Colonel Birch led on the 
foot and Colonel Morgan the cavalry (in all two thousand men), 
they were in a short time masters of the city. They captured 
eleven pieces of ordnance, forty lords, knights and gentlemen of 



ANCIENT CIIAPEL OF BIRCH. 109 

consideration, whom they sent prisoners to Gloucester. 1 Colonel 
Birch was instated as governor of the city by a vote of the Honse of 
Commons, and a public thanksgiving was decreed in recognition of 
this seasonable success. A story is related of Colonel Birch at this 
stage of his career which strongly illustrates the insecurity of the 
times in which he lived. Soon after the taking of Hereford, Dr. 
Herbert Croft, afterwards Bishop of that see, preaching at the 
Cathedral, inveighed boldly and sharply against sacrilege, at which 
some of the officers then present began to mutter amongst them- 
selves, and a guard of musqueteers in the church were preparing 
their pieces, and asked whether they should (ire at him, but Colonel 
Birch the governor prevented them. 2 On the 23rd of March 
following two letters from Colonel Birch were read before the house, 
relating to the capture of Sir Jacob Astley and a victory over the 
forces under his command at Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire, 
and again a public thanksgiving was decreed. In March 1646, 
Colonel Birch, Colonel Morgan and Sir William Brereton, with 
their joint forces, marched to Worcester, and summoned the city to 
surrender to the Parliament, assuring them that the king had no 
forces to relieve them ; to which summons the inhabitants answer- 
ing that bad such been the case they should have known the king's 
pleasure, the besiegers replied that they would give them a short 
respite in order that they might the better inquire and prevent their 
own ruin. They consequently withdrew from Worcester, and 
falling upon the town of Bridgewater, carried it by storm. 3 In the 
following May Ludlow Castlo surrendered to Colonel Birch, and at 
his request a supply of ammunition was forwarded to him for opera- 
tions against Goodrich Castle and Bagland Castle. At the close of 
the year he took the solemn league and covenant. On the 1st of 
March 1 646-7, it having been determined that the city of Hereford 
should be disgarrisoned, and that the Castle of Hereford should be 
kept a garrison with one hundred and three score foot in it, he 
ceased to occupy the post of governor, which was conferred on 

1 Whitelock's Memorials, p. 190. * Athena Oxonienses, vol. iv. p. 311, note. 

8 Whitelock's Memorials, pp. 205-206. 



110 A HISTORY OF THE 

Colonel Samuel Moore. After resigning the governorship of Here- 
ford, he actively employed himself in collecting troops for service in 
Ireland, with the intention of accompanying them thither. Circum- 
stances, however, occurred which rendered his presence and influence 
needful at home, to appease the discontent of the army, which from 
the pay of the soldiers having been too long withheld, began to 
manifest symptoms of insubordination. On the 11th of June 1647, 
he was requested, together with three other members, to prepare a 
letter, which they were authorised to send to General Fairfax, 
desiring that the army might remain stationary, and not advance 
within forty miles of London, his name being at the same time 
added to a committee which charged itself with the duty of putting 
London in a posture of defence. The delay in acting upon his 
original intention of crossing to Ireland seems to have led to an 
abandonment of his design, and whatever was the destination of the 
troops their colonel remained in England. Early in the ensuing 
year he was placed on a committee to consider in what manner such 
churches, houses, towns, &o. as have been burnt, demolished and 
spoiled since these wars may be repaired, and on the 25th of January 
he was chosen one of a commission to proceed on an important state 
mission from the parliament of England to that of Scotland, his 
brother commissioners being the Earls of Nottingham and Stamford, 
Bryan Stapleton, William Ashurst and Robert Goodwin, Esqrs. In 
February 1647-8, we find him in Edinburgh, accomplishing his 
mission, and on the 15th of that month honourable mention was 
made in the House of Commons of his diligence and zeal. He seems 
to have returned home in August 1648, when a more formal expres- 
sion of the thanks of the House awaited him, and the following 
month he was deputed by parliament to proceed into Lancashire 
and the other counties where Scotch prisoners were, to inquire 
which of those prisoners were forced men, and to discharge all such 
on condition of their not serving again. This occurred shortly after 
the defeat and capture of the Duke of Hamilton near Preston. On 
the 22nd of November 1648, he was appointed high steward of the 
borough of Leominster, an office at the disposal of parliament, and 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. Ill 

now void by reason of the delinquency of Sir Walter Pye ; and was 
the following day added to a commission whose duty it was to 
consider of the castles, garrisons, &c. that are to be razed and made 
untenable. In the last parliamentary struggle between the Presby- 
terians and Independents, which precipitated the catastrophe of the 
king's death, and which is known in history as "Pride's purge," 
unable to quell the storm which he had assisted to raise, Colonel 
Birch was in the number of those leading Presbyterians who were 
secluded and thrown into prison for counselling further overtures to 
the king against the impatient desires of the Independents, backed 
by the army, for a total subversion of the monarchy. With the 
king's death the parliamentary career of Colonel John Birch met 
with a temporary interruption, for although re-elected for Weobley 
after the dissolution of the Long Parliament in 1653, he had lost all 
sympathy with the usurper whose ambitious designs were now no 
longer concealed, and but few opportunities occurred for resisting 
them. He had discovered when it was too late that change is not 
always improvement, and that Cromwell's aims were after a power 
even more arbitrary than had been claimed by the deposed and 
murdered king. From a letter addressed by the Governor of Here- 
ford to the Lord Protector, dated Hereford, March 17, 1654, we 
ascertain that at this time he was in active opposition to the consti- 
tuted authorities : — " Colonel Birch," he says, " coming hither now 
in the middle of the assizes (the city being very full of all sorts of 
people) gave out before the judges, as they themselves told me, that 
the present insurrections (Salisbury and the rest) did not consist of 
cavaliers, but a company of silly quakers, with some other disaffected 
persons. He also told me the same, and added further that the 
greatest matter was our own jealousies and fears. Considering this, 
and what we know of his carriage when the Scots were in Wor- 
cester, and his behaviour of late, I feared such speeches were coals 
cast abroad to kindle divisions among the good people here, and to 
hinder their uniting against the common enemy. I thought it my 
duty for the safety and peace of these parts, and agreeable to your 
former orders, to secure him, which I have done ; and as his sword 



112 A HISTORY OF THE 

was taking from him he (refusing to deliver it) said, Though my 
sword U short now it may be long enough within a while (the 
sword hanging by his side being a little short sword), and very 
angrily asked me whether I had orders to secure him. I answered, 
If I have not you will question me ? He replied, Yes, that I will. I 
said again, I believe it. So we parted, and he is in custody. I have 
sent a party to possess his moated house (which I find is very strong 
with drawbridges ; it is also well provided) lest at this time it might 
be surprised and manned against your highness, and be a great 
scourge to this country. I beseech your highness" speedy order 
concerning this person and his house, whether I shall continue a 
guard there or make it untenable." 1 

In November 1655, he is found yet a prisoner by Major-General 
Berry, Cromwell's new vice-gerent of the county, who, writing to 
the government, says : " I met with (as a prisoner here) Colonel 
Birch, who hath applied himself to me as to a little king that could 
redress every grievance. I confess upon examination of the business, 
though there were some grounds of jealousy, yet I cannot see any 
great reason he should now be kept in restraint. It is true the man 
is popular in these parts, and he loves to be so. He is taken for a 
great wit, and guilty of some honesty, and upon that account able to 
do hurt if he have a mind to it ; but he professeth desire of peace 
and settlement, and saith he is for the same things that we are, but 
could have been glad to have them in another way ; but seeing the 
time is not yet for it, nor we fit for it, he thinks we had better have 
it as it is than make disturbance. And truly I think it were an 
easy matter to gain him if he be worth getting. But, not to trouble 
you with my thoughts, I shall tell you my actions : I have desired 
the governor (whose prisoner he is) to give him liberty to be at his 
own house upon his promise to appear when he shall be called for." 2 

In 1656 he is named (Oldmuvon, vol. ii. p. 429) as one of the 
northern conspirators in league with Captain Penruddocke, whose 
unsuccessful efforts to check the growing ambition of Cromwell cost 
him his life. He was returned again for Weobley in the Protector's 

1 Thurloe'8 State Papers, vol. iii. p. 261. * Ibid, yol. iy. p. 237. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 113 

third parliament, which assembled in September 1656, but was 
secluded, not being allowed to take his seat because he refused the 
engagement, a fate shared by nearly a quarter of the representatives 
returned by the country. The death of Cromwell in 1658 having 
opened a way for the restoration of the monarchy, a council of state 
of thirty-one members being appointed, the name of Colonel John 
Birch is of the number, and on the 26th of April he is found with 
his parliamentary associates negocutfing for the king's return. The 
month of May 1660 was occupied in preparing instructions for those 
charged with the delivery of a letter inviting the king ; in preparing 
for his majesty's reception ; in drawing up the bill of general pardon, 
indemnity and oblivion : and for confirming to the people the privi- 
leges of parliament, Magna Charta and other rights ; in all which 
arrangements Colonel John Birch was conspicuous. Immediately 
after the Restoration he was appointed one of six commissioners for 
disbanding the army and navy, and with this event the more distin- 
guished portion of Colonel Birch's career may be said to have closed, 
though not less active or useful in the succeeding years of his public 
life. His name occurs in September 1666, on a committee of the 
House inquiring into the cause of the great fire in London, and on 
the 19th of January following he was deputed by the House to bring 
in a bill for the rebuilding of the city. He continued to represent 
Weobley until his death in 1691. Colonel Birch was twice married, 
his first wife being Alice, daughter of Thomas Deane, citizen of 
Bristol. She died September 10, 1676, leaving issue John Birch 
of Ordsal in the county of Lancaster Esquire, his eldest son, who 
died without male issue; Samuel Birch of Whitbourne in the 
county of Hereford Esquire, who married twice, but died s.p. ; 
Thomas and George both died unmarried ; and also three daughters, 
Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah, to the last of whom Colonel Birch 
bequeathed his estates on condition that she should marry her cousin 
John, second son of her uncle the Rev. Thomas Birch. This 
marriage took place, but dying without issue John Birch Esq. was 
succeeded by his brother Samuel, who dying in 1752, also without 
issue, devised his estates to his nephew (the son of his sister Eliza- 

Q 



114 A HISTORY OF THE 

beth) John Peploe, who in consequence assumed the additional 
name of Birch, and now represents that branch of the family. By 
his second marriage with Winifred, daughter of Matthew Norris of 
Weobley Esq., Colonel Birch had no issue. 

He was buried in the chancel of Weobley Church, where there is 
a monument to his memory — a full-length figure in armour standing 
beneath a canopy. The monument bears the following inscription : 
" In hope of resurrection to eternal life. Here is deposited the body 
of Colonel John Birch, descended of a worthy family in Lancashire. 
As the dignities he arrived at in the Field, and the esteem universally 
yielded him in the Senate House exceeded the attainments of most, 
so they were but the moderate and just rewards of his courage, 
conduct, wisdom and fidelity. None who knew him denied him y* 
character of asserting and vindicating y* laws and liberties of his 
country in war and of promoting its welfare and prosperity in peace. 
He was borne y 6 7th of September 1626, 1 and died a member of the 
honourable House of Commons, being burgess for Weobley, May y* 
10th, 1631. " 

The second son of Samuel Birch Gent, (the aforesaid testator) and 
younger brother of Colonel John Birch, was named after his father 
Samuel, and was baptised at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, in 
1620-1. From the circumstance that he is named in his father's 
will without any bequest being assigned to him it is inferred that 
provision had been already made to him during his father's lifetime. 
He was commonly known as Major Birch, and appears to have 
adopted the profession of arms without reaping many laurels, his 
name and deeds being eclipsed by the reputation of his elder brother. 
His estates lay in Ardwick and Gorton, and at this latter place he 

1 The error before alluded to respecting the date of Colonel John Birch's birth is 
perpetuated by his monument. In Wood's Athena Oxonientss, toL L p. 118, the 
correct date of his birth (or rather baptism) is grren, vi*. April 7, 1616. We hare 
Wood's authority for stating that in May 1694 the inscription on Colonel Biroh's 
monument became a subject for episcopal interference. The bishop, with his attend- 
ants, went to Weobley, and defaced the inscription, " the minister and churchwardens 
thinking some words thereon were not right for the church institution." The colonel's 
nephew, he adds, designs to bring an action against the bishop for defacing it. 






ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 115 

was interred in the year 1 693. He died, leaving John Birch his son 
and successor, who was baptised at Gorton Chapel in 1652. By his 
will made in 172- John Birch, who describes himself as of Man- 
chester Gentleman, bequeaths his soul to God and his body to be 
buried in such decent sort as his executors shall determine. And as 
touching the disposition of his temporal estate, he gives and bequeaths 
all that his messuage and tenement with appurtenances situate and 
being in Over otherwise Upper and Lower Ardwiok in the county 
of Lancaster, containing by common estimation seventeen acres and 
a half, late in the possession of James Goddard, and now or late in 
that of Daniel Woosencroft, and all those two closes of land in Upper 
and Lower Ardwick aforesaid, containing by estimation three acres 
of land, and commonly called by the names of the two Bough Fields, 
and also that other close also situated in Ardwick, commonly called 
the Hollow Meadow, containing two acres of land, to his beloved 
wife Elizabeth for her life, and after her decease to his son Thomas 
Birch and his heirs, subject nevertheless to the charge hereafter 
specified and declared, namely the sum of i?200, to be paid there- 
from to his (testator's) son George Birch, to be paid within twelve 
months after the decease of Elizabeth, testator's wife. He proceeds 
to recite an indenture of settlement bearing date June 4, 1712, 
whereby with the concurrence of his son Samuel he charges certain 
of his estates with an annuity of £25 to his wife Elizabeth from and 
after his (testator's) decease. He died in 1728, and was buried 
September 21st at Gorton Chapel, his funeral sermon being preached 
by his kinsman Samuel [Peploe] Lord Bishop of Chester. Thomas 
Birch, who is styled of Higher Ardwick, merchant, succeeded his 
father, sharing, however, the Ardwiok estate with his younger 
brother Samuel, who also is styled of Lower Ardwick. In 1 730 he 
rebuilt the manor-house at Ardwick, but died s.p. May 5, 1753. 
His will is dated January 13, 1746. He therein directs that his 
debts and funeral expenses, &c, be paid, and that his -body be 
interred in a decent and Christian manner at the discretion of his 
executors. To his brother Samuel Birch and Elizabeth his wife he 
gives £25 apiece to buy them mourning with. To his nephew 



116 A HI8T0BY OF THE 

Thomas Birch £600. To his nephews Samuel and George (sons of 
the said brother Samuel Birch) £400 apiece, to be paid as they shall 
severally reach the age of twenty-one years. To his brother George 
Birch he gives all that and those his messuages, dwelling-houses, 
gardens, &c, in Higher Ardwick, now in the several tenures of 
himself and John Chapman, and which were devised to him by his 
late father John Birch, for and during the term of his natural life ; 
and after his death he devises the same to his esteemed friend and 
partner in trade James Hall and nephew-in-law Thomas Gardner of 
Manchester aforesaid, chapman, in trust for the heirs of the body of 
his said brother George Birch lawfully issuing; and in default of 
such issue he gives the said premises, &c, to his (testator's) said 
nephew Thomas Birch and his heirs ; and in default of such issue to 
his said nephew George Birch ; and in default of such issue to his 
(testator's) right heirs. All those his dwelling-houses, closes, &c., 
in Higher Ardwick, which were by him lately purchased from 
Worral Millington, he gives to his said brother George Birch and his 
heirs; and in default of such issue to his (testator's) said nephew 
Samuel Birch and his heirs ; and in default, &c, to his said nephew 
George Birch and his heirs ; and in default, &c, to his said nephew 
Thomas Birch and his heirs ; and in default, &c, to his (testator's) 
right heirs for ever. His lands in Droylsden, now in the occupation 
of John Bedfern, he leaves to his brother George Birch and his heirs 
and assigns for ever ; to whom also he gives all that his messuage or 
dwelling-house*, warehouses, stables, &c, in Manchester aforesaid, in 
or near a certain street there called Deansgate, and now in testator's 
own possession, and which he holds by lease from the Warden and 
Fellows of Manchester. All that his messuage, &c, in Deansgate, 
now in the holding of Robert Tyrer, he gives to his said nephew 
George Birch and his heirs ; and in default of such issue to his said 
nephews in succession Thomas Birch and Samuel Birch and their 
heirs for ever. He wills that the sum of £300 be put out at interest, 
the proceeds thereof to be paid to his nephew John Walker, son of 
James Walker of Manchester, merchant, for his life, and after his 
death the principal sum to be paid to such child or children as he may 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 117 

leave, in equal portions, to be paid on their severally reaching the 
age of twenty-one years ; but in case his said nephew John Walker 
should die without children which shall attain such age, then he 
bequeaths the said sum of £300 unto such child or children of his 
(Walker's) late sister Elizabeth Gardner, late wife of the said 
Thomas Gardner, as shall be then living, equally to be divided ; but 
in case there should be no such children then the said sum of .£300 
to be distributed amongst his (testator's) next of kin in manner as 
intestate's personal estate. Also to such child or children of his said 
niece Elizabeth Gardner as shall be living at his decease, the sum of 
J6700, equally to be divided, the share of any child dying to be 
divided amongst the survivors ; and if all die before attaining the 
age of twenty -one then the d£700 to be distributed amongst his next 
of kin in manner aforesaid. To his brother George Birch he gives 
the sum of <£*200 in money, and all his silver plate. To his nephew 
Robert Jackson «£300, to be paid two years after testator's decease. 
To the aforesaid James Hall jPIOO. To his sister-in-law Margaret 
Lilly ,£200. All his messuages, &c, which he holds in fee-simple on 
the south-side of a certain street in Chester called Northgate, he be- 
queaths to his sister-in-law Margaret Lilly and her heirs and assigns for 
ever. All his messuages, &c, in the said street which he holds by lease 
from the Dean and Chapter of Chester, he gives to the said Margaret 
Lilly for and during his right and title in the same. He wills that 
within two years after his death the sum of <£*200 be put out at 
interest by and in the names of his said brothers Samuel and George 
Birch, the interest to be for ever continued and applied to the 
instruction and learning of poor children belonging to Higher and 
Lower Ardwick, " to be taught to read perfectly by some sober and 
discreet master and mistress, who shall for the time being reside and 
dwell within Higher or Lower Ardwick aforesaid; and for the 
better preservation and continuing my said intended charity 1 do 
expressly will and declare that the owner and proprietor for the 
time being of the capital messuage or mansion-house in Lower 
Ardwick aforesaid, now in the possession of my said brother Samuel 
Birch, as also of my messuage or dwelling-house in Higher Ardwick 



120 A HISTORY OF THE 

The name of George Birch, a brother of the testator, occurs in 
1740, in the consecration deed of St. Thomas's Chapel, Ardwick, as 
one of the petitioners for the consecration of the chapel; and in 
1753 he actively employed himself in promoting the rebuilding of 
the chapel at Gorton, presenting in the following year a silver flagon 
for use at the Holy Communion. 

Samuel Birch, another brother, resided at Lower Ardwick, and 
was born in 1690. He was in the commission of the peace for 
Lancashire, and was in 1747 high sheriff of the county. In 1740 
he presented the site for St. Thomas's Chapel, Ardwick, and by the 
consecration deed a vault at the east end of the chapel is reserved to 
himself and to his successors, owners of his capital mansion, the 
manor-house. From the same source we learn that he pledges 
himself to erect a west gallery in the chapel, the rents of such gallery 
being secured to him until he be reimbursed, the rents afterwards to 
go to the curate. 

He died at Ardwick December 18, 1757, leaving issue by his 
wife Elizabeth Hill, Thomas, his eldest surviving son, of the Inner 
Temple, who died June 8, 1781 s.p. ; Samuel, a major-general in 
the army, who served in the American war as Colonel of Preston's 
Light Dragoons, and died in January 1811; and George, of 
Ardwick, who died in 1794, leaving issue Thomas (died in 1796) 
and Maria (died 1813). 

Or the 9th of March 1795, pursuant to a decree in chancery in a 
cause Watson v. Birch, several freehold estates in the township of 
Ardwick and a moiety of a lime-stone quarry, late the property of 
Thomas Birch Esq. deceased, were offered for sale ; a purchaser was 
found, but disputes having arisen as to the validity of the sale, the 
estates were directed to be resold, and they finally passed into other 
hands on the 1st of February 1796. 




Samuel Birch, 
of Aid wick, 
Gent., com- 
monly called 
Major Birch. 
Bapt. at Coll. 
Ch. Feb. 18, 
1630-1. Bur. 
at Gorton 
Chapel July 
8.1693. 



Isabella, 
dan. of 

Bar. at 
Coll. Ch. 
March 
29,1878. 



John Birch. 
Bapt. at Coll 
Ch. Oct. 9, 
and bur. there 
Dec 19, 1614. 



Winifred, 
dau. of 
Matthew 
Norria of 
Weobley, 
co. Here- 
ford. Died 
inl717,8.p. 



"eld* 

Pa 

arj 

anHedat 

Wtrch-B 

B*d bur. 

ChoT.7, 

161 

Ml 



Sarah Birch. 
Bapt at Coll. Ch. 
April 25, 1631. 
Marr. there June 
22, 1662, to Ed- 
ward Radcliffe of 
Radcliffe, Gent 



Sarah Radcliffe. 
Bapt at Coll. Ch. 
June 19, 1653. 



Marr Birch. 
Bapt. at Gor- 
ton Chapel 
Feb. 13, 
1641-42. Bur. 
there April 
1,1672. 



E* 

Si Alice 
** Marr. 

Mind 



A 



I 



Elizabeth, 
dau. of 

Bur. at 
Gorton 
Chapel 
Not. 19, 
1784. 



—John Birch—, 
of Ardwick, 
Gent Bapt. 
at Gorton 
Chapel May 
6.1662. Bur. 
there Sept. 
21,1726. 




irch. Elisabeth Birch. 

to Marr. to 

, Esq. Hope, Esq. 



Sarah 
Bapt. at 
tonChq 
Jan. 20, 
50. 



Mary Birch. 
Died unmar- 
ried. Will 
dated Oct. 
26,1722. 



Mary Birch. 
Bapi at Coll. 
Ch. April 27, 
1677. Bur. 
there Feb. 20, 
1701-2. 



Elisabeth Birch. 
Bapt. at Gorton 
Chapel April 15, 
1685. 



John Birch. 
Bapt at Gorton 
Chapel Dec. 29, 
1687. Bur. there 
Jan. 16, 1700-1. 



Thomas Birch of 
merchant, sou afl 
Elena, dau. of ... 
at Coll. Ch. June: 
is dated Jan. 13, J 
6, 1753, ap. 



ry Birch, 
rr. at Whit- 
roe Not. 10, 
i, to George 
»tot of Butt 
|se, co. He- 
ard, Esq. 
id March 18, 
j-30. 



Elizabeth Birch 
Marr. at Whit- 
bourne May 12, 
1670. to Ralph 
Bncknall of Lon- 
don, Esq., and 
had issue two 
daughters. 



Sarah Birch. 
Heiress of Garn- 
stone. Marr. 
her cousin John 
Birch, Esq., 2nd 
son of her uncle 
the Rot. Thomas 
Birch. Died in 
1702, ap. 



Samuel Birch. 
Bapt. at Gorton 
Chapel April 20, 
his godfather 
being Samuel 
Lord Bishop of 
Chester. Bur. 
at Gorton Not. 
27, 1730. 



John Birch, Died at Gantang, 
Bapt. at Go} in St. Thomas' 
ton Chapel Ardwick, Manches- 
June28,174pril 1779. 

Bur. there • 

Aug.l5,174p | 

Ha Birch. 

id in 1813. 



1 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 121 

On the east side of the township, near to its junction with Newton 
and Gorton, is an estate called Slade, or more anciently, Milkwall- 
slade. The name Slade signifies in the Anglo-Saxon a plain or open 
tract of land, a term sufficiently descriptive of its true character ; but 
the meaning of its earlier designation Milkwallslade it is more 
difficult to conjecture. 

Michewall Diche is given in 1484 as one of the boundaries of 
certain lands in Birch, conveyed by William Birch to his son 
Robert; and the proximity of the Nico or Nicker Ditch which 
forms the southern boundary of the Slade Hall estate suggests that 
these may both be modifications of ths same word ; its etymology, 
however, has not yet been decided. 

The first proprietors of whom we know anything were the family 
of Manchester, whose association with the township we have already 
seen. By a deed undated but executed about the year 1270, 
Thomas, son of Geoffrey, son of Luke de Manchester, confirmed to 
his brother Jordan certain lands in Didisford and Milkewalleslade, 
being the same lands which Geoffrey his father had given him, 
together with one acre of meadow in Banereris, and all the land his 
father held in Akedone. This deed was witnessed by Geoffrey, 
Dean of Manchester ; Ad [or W m ] de Hulton, Matthew de Birch, 
William le Norreis, Robert son of Symon de Manchester, Richard 
de Honeford, William de Didisb'y and John the Clerk. 

In the 23 Edward III (1349) the estate is found vested in Robert 
de Milkewallslade, who being in all probability a member of the 
family of Manchester, had taken the name of Milkewallslade from 
the place of his abode, as was customary in those early times. He 
may possibly have been a son or grandson of Jordan de Manchester, 
the last recorded proprietor. He married Ellen or Elena, daughter 
of Robert del Piatt of Piatt within Rusholme, and had issue Robert 
his heir and a younger son named John. 

In 1349 Robert de Milkwallslade the elder settled his estates, 
limiting them to himself for his life, and after his decease to his 
elder son Robert and his lawful heirs, with remainder in case of 






122 A HISTORY OF THE 

filing issue to John his younger son, with further remainder in a 
like contingency to the right heirs- of himself and Elena his wife. 

In the reign of Elizabeth the name of the estate was abbreviated into 
Slade, and the names of the owners also suffered a similar abridgment. 
Slade Hall, though still in possession of the family, had ceased to be 
their residence, a lease of the premises having been made to Richard 
Siddall of Manchester, yeoman, which was afterwards renewed to 
Edward Siddall his son. Meanwhile the Slades had retired to an 
estate in Staffordshire. An indenture made the 20th of April in the 
19 Elizabeth (1577) between Bauffe Slade of Breerehurst in the 
county of Stafford Gent, on the one part, and Roger Greene alder- 
man of Gongleton in the county of Chester on the other part, 
witnesseth that these parties in consideration of a marriage hereafter 
to be had between Thomas Slade, son and heir apparent of the said 
Ralph, and Marie Bellotte, daughter of Robert Bellotte late of 
Moreton in the county of Chester Gent, deceased, agree that Rauffe 
Slade doth covenant and grant with Roger Greene, &c, by these 
presents that the said Thomas Slade shall, by God's permission and 
sufferance, before the feast of Holy Pentecost next, marry the said 
Marie Bellotte if she will be ready, consent and agree, and the laws 
of holy church on her part will it permit and suffer, &c. [a like 
covenant here following by Roger Greene for Marie Bellotte]. 
Ralph Slade then proceeds to covenant that before such marriage he 
will convey to John Lawton of Lawton in the county of Chester 
Esq., Philippe Bellotte of Moreton Gent., and Richard Podmore 
and Richard Whelocke of the parish of Wolstanton in the county of 
Stafford, yeomen, one certain messuage, &c, called Milkwalleslade, 
and all lands, &c, thereto belonging, with the yearly rent of 26s. 8d. 
situate and being in Withington in the county of Lancaster, and 
now or late in the tenure and occupation of Edward Syddall, to the 
following uses : — To the use of the said Ralph Slade for his life, 
afterwards to that of the said Thomas Slade and the lawful heirs of 
him and the said Marie Bellotte ; in default of such issue to the 
lawful issue of Thomas Slade ; in default of such to the right heirs 
of Ralph Slade for ever, free from all former grants, jointures, 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 123 

dowers, &c. ; the lawful dower of Jone Norst, wife of the said 
Ralph, and one lease of the said messuage, lands, &c, to the said 
Edward Syddall for the term of forty-two years (of which thirty are 
unexpired), and whereon is reserved the yearly rent of 26s. 8d. payable 
to the said Ralph, &c, always excepted. Ralph Slade further covenants 
that before the next court to be holden at Thurstfield within the manor 

1 Tunstall in the county of Stafford, he will surrender, according to 

ustom of the manor, one capital messuage, &c, at Brerehurst, 

in the said Ralph doth now dwell, and twenty-seven acres of 

&c, into the hands of Geoffrey Rowley of Wedgewood and the 

u Richard Podmore, two customary tenants of the said manor, to 

) end that they should present the same at the said court after 

ie solemnization of the said marriage, before the steward, &c, to 
.ae use of the said Thomas Slade and his heirs male by the said 
Marie Bellotte [&c. &c. as before] on condition that Thomas Slade 
at the said court, after his marriage and immediately after the 
surrendering of the premises aforesaid to his use, make a petit estate 
or surrender, according to the custom of the manor, to the said 
Ralph and Jone his wife, of two parts of the said messuage and of 
two parts of all buildings thereto belonging, and of eighteen acres of 
the said twenty-seven acres to the use of the said Ralph and Jone 
his wife, during their lives, they yielding and paying two parts of all 
rents, &c, due and payable for the said two parts during their 
occupation. Upon condition also that the said Thomas, at the said 
court, after solemnization of the marriage, make a good and lawful 
estate by surrender or otherwise, according to the custom of the 
manor, to the said Marie Bellotte, of the third part of the said 
messuage and buildings and of nine acres of the customary lands, 
residue of the said twenty-seven acres, to Marie Bellotte for her life, 
with remainder to the said Thomas Slade and his heirs male- 
Provided the said Thomas and Marie shall inhabit and dwell toge- 
ther with the said Ralph and Jone at the said capital messuage, and 
do the work and labour of the said Ralph and Jone, so long as they 
can agree together, Ralph and Jone finding to Thomas and Marie 
and their children meat, drink, clothing and all other things 



124 A HISTORY OF THE 

necessary, meet and convenient for living ; and if they cannot agree 
together then Thomas and Marie to have the said nine acres of 
customary lands with the third part of the said capital messuage, 
&c, during the life of Ralph and Jone, with remainder to Thomas 
and Marie as aforesaid. In consideration of which covenants, &c, 
the said Roger Greene doth covenant to pay Ralph Slade at or 
before the solemnization of the marriage £40 as the proper goods, 
filial portion or child's part of goods of the said Marie. Ralph Slade 
consents to be bounden in his " escripte obligatory" bearing date 
with these presents, to the said Roger Greene in the sum of i?200. 
In witness whereof, &o. 

The date of the first association of the family of Siddall with the 
Slade Hall estate was antecedent to the year 1565, which time ac- 
cords with the above recited indenture. Edward, son of Richard 
Siddall of Withington yeoman, obtained a lease of the premises for 
a term of forty-two years. There had been an earlier lease of the 
premises to Richard Siddall, the father, who resided at Slade Hall 
in 1558, as his will testifies : — 

Will of Richard Siddall. 

In the name of God amen. The 22 daye of May in the yere of o 1 
lord God a McccccLviu th . I Ric Sedull of Withington in the countie 
of Lancast yoman, beyng at this p'sent somthinge deceasid but thankes 
unto God of sounde and pYect memorie, and cosidering y* death to 
every man is most c'teine and the hower and tyme to all men most 
unc'teine ; willing therefore by the help of God to make all thinkes 
in pYect redines in such mafl and sorte as shalbe to y e glory of God 
and cofart of my wife and children, do ordeine and make this my 
testamet wherein is conteined the effecte of my last will, in maQ 
and forme following : Y* is to saye ffirste and principally I offer, 
geve and bequeth my soule to Almightie God my maker and redem r , 
trusting y t by the merits of Christes passion and bloode sheding to 
be one of that number that shalbe elect and chosen into evlastinge 
glorie ; and my bodie to be buryed in the p'ishe church of Machester 
or where it shall please God to appoynt. Also coc'nyng y° dis- 
pociron of all and singuler my lands, tacke and tenemets it is my 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 125 

will and mynd y* the same shalbe and remene in mafi and forme 
thereaft* named and mecioned, y* is to saie it is my will and mynd 
and also I do assigne and geve all and evy my p'te and porcion of 
all and singnler y e lands and tenemets w t y e app'tenanoes now lying 
and beyng in Eeyrsall w ch latly I bought and p'rchasid, as by 
writings thereof made more at larg* may appere, to Edward Sidall 
my eldiste sonne and to his heres male of his bodie lawfully begotten, 
and for default of such issue y e same to come and remene unto 
Thorn's Sidall my sdne and to his heirs male of his bodie lawfully 
begotten ; and for default of such issue y* same to com and remene 
and be to my right heires for evr. Also 1 doe assigne and geve y e 
shope w^ 1 1 have in the M'keth strete w* 1 * th' appetences w ch I latly 
purchasid, to Edward Sidall my sone aforesaid and to his heires 
male of his bodie lawfully begotten ; and for default of such issue y* 
same to remene and come to Thorn's Sidall my yongest sone afore- 
said and to his heres male of his bodie lawfully begotten ; and for 
default of suche issue y° same to remene and come to my right heres 
for evr ; forseying alwayes, and it is my will and mynd y* Ellysabeth 
now my wife shall have, hold, enioye and occupie y 6 same shope 
duryng her naturall life if she kepe her sole and unmaried ; and if 
she do m'reye then this my legacie of y e said shoppe to be voyd unto 
her, any thinke before metioned to y e cdtrarie made in any wise 
notw^andinge. Also it is my will and mynde and also I do 
assigne and appoynte y* house meas'e or tent w ch I now dwell in 
w* 11 th' appurtenances (called y e Mylkewall Slade) to Edward my 
sone, duryng suche terme as I have in aft r y e decease of Elizbeth my 
wife forsaid unto whom I assigne y* same meas'e and tent duryng 
the lif naturall of y e said Elisabeth, toward the brynging upp of my 
children, if she kepe her sole and unmaried, or els not. Also I do 
assigne and geve unto my yongest sone Thorn's Sidall above said, all 
and evy my lands and tenem'ts w ch I latly purchasid in Moston w^ 
th' appHences and to his heres male of his bodie lawfully begotten ; 
and for default of such issue to cd and remene to Edward Sidall my 
sone and his heres male of his bodie lawfully begotten; and for 
default of such issue y* remander y r of to come to my right heres for evr. 



126 A HISTORY OF THE 

Also I do assigno and bequeth by y e cosent and assent of Edward my 
sone all and singuler y t my meas'e and tenem* lyeing and beyng at 
Diddisbury w* th 1 app r tences and evy pHe and p^cell y r of ymediately 
aft r y e decease of Elisab3 my wife whoe it is my mynd and will y* 
she have the same duryng her life if she kepe her soule and unmaried, 
and if she nTrye then y e saide Thorn's Sidall to have y 6 same 
ymediately aft r she doth nfrye if my lease and terme in the same so 
long continewe. Also it is my will and mynd and I do assigne, 
name and appoynte y* Elisabeth, now my wife, shall have, occupie 
and enioye one close or p'cell of ground caled y e M'led Yearth lyeing 
and beyng in the Houghe durynge her life, if she kepe her sole and 
unmaryed, if my lease or graunt y r of so long continewe, the revision 
whereof shall come and remene ymediatly aft r my [her] deceass or 
mariag unto Edward Sidall my said sone duryng my terme and . . . 
in y 6 same to his heres or assignes. Also it is my will and mynd y t 
Edward Sidall my sone according to his former p'myse shall and 
will w th out coneng, craft or gile make or cause to be made a sure and 
lawfull surrend r and assuranc' in the lawe, such as shall or may be 
lawfull devised or advised by his counsell of in or apon one mease or 
tent in Diddisbury aforesaid, to have and to hould -y e said mease or 
tent to y e said Elizabeth duryng her life or untill she do mVy and 
aft r her life or ni'ryage to Thorn's my sone and his assignes duryng 
all such tyme and terme as he the said Edward hath in the same or 
thereaft r may have by reason or occasion of any form r graunt or lease 
before made when it shall or maye be hereaft* lawfully demanded or 
required by the said Thorn's or his assignes. And if the said Edward 
Sidall my 6one do refuse, or desire thus to do, then these my legacies 
aud the benefitts before written and evy of them to be utterly voyd 
and of none effect to the said Edward, eny thing before written and 
mencioned to y e cotrarie made in any wise notw A standing. And 
cocernyng y e dispocicon of all and singuler goods and catteles it is 
my will and mynd y* the same aft r my fourth brynging and funerall 
expencies discharged shalbe devidid in to thre ptes, y t is to saie one 
pte unto my self, an oth r pte unto my pore children and y e thrid and 
and last pte unto my wife, accordinge to y° lawo. Of w ch my pte of 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 127 

goods it is my will and mynd y* Edward my sone have vj u xiij 8 iiij d ; 
also I do geve and bequeth unto Anne my dought r ov r and beside 
hir child pte and porcion of goodes due unto her xl 8 . ^lso I geve 
and bequeth to my sone Edward my best Jacked, my chamlet 
dublet, my hat, and my heng r ; also I geve and dispose y e rest of 
myne app'rell not bequethed, to Thorn's my sone w 1 * 1 my second 

henger and my Also I geve and bequeth to .... v 8 . Also 

it is my will and mynd y* the rest of my pte of goods and catteles 
not bequethed and disposid shalbe devided betwixt my wife and 
children hereaftF named equally, y* is to saye Edward, Alis, Eliza- 
beth, Genet, Anne and Ellin. Also it is my will and mynd y* if it 
happen, as God defend y*, any of my said children, eth r my wife or 
any of them, do denye or refuse to stand to this my true and last 
will in man r and forme aforesaid, then he or she and they or any of 
them so denyeing or refuseing shall have no benefite, gayne nor 
advantage of any legacie so before to him or hir and theme geven so 
denying or refusing, and the pte of them so denyeing to be equally 
devided amongest the rest of those w * 1 are content and pleasid, any 
thing mencond or wryten to the contrarie notw^standinge. Also I 
order, constitute and make Elisabeth my wife, Edward Sidall and 
Thorn's Sidall my sonnes, my true and lawfull execut rs to execute, 
pYorme, accomplishe and fulfill this my testamet and last will in 
man r and forme aforesaid according to the true intent, menyng, 
p r port and effecte y r of. And also I most bartely require my most 
trustie and loving frendes Thorn's Birch Gent., Wittm Sidall and 
John P'cevall yomen, to be y e sup'visors of this my last will and 
testamet, to see the same accomplishid and fulfillid in man r and 
forme aforesaide, these beyng witeneses and p'sent, Thomas Birch 
Gent., Randull Kenyon and John Glover y e writer hereof, with 
others. 

Proved at Chester. 

His inventory amounted to £249 5s. Sd. 

The third part of the lands of Kersal referred to in his will were 
purchased by testator in the year 1548 from Ralph Kenyon of 
Gorton, to whom a conveyance had been made of the entire manor 



128 A HISTORY OF THE 

by Ralph Sacheverell and Philippa his wife under the authority of 
letters patent dated July 20, 2 Edward VI. They had until 
recently formed part of the possessions of the Priory of Lenton in 
the county of Nottingham, but had been confiscated to the crown on 
the suppression of monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII. 

In 1565 a renewal of the lease of Slade Hall was granted to 
Edward Siddall, and before the time specified therein had expired 
the first step was taken by the lessee for the absolute purchase of the 
estate. The several parties possessing an interest in the lands of 
Slade were, as we have already seen, Ralph Slade, to whom they 
were secured for his life, and Thomas Slade his son, to whom the 
reversion and remainder had been conveyed. By indenture dated 
the 7th of June 22 Elizabeth (1580) Edward Siddall agreed to 
purchase the reversion from Thomas Slade, and on the 9th of June 
26 Elizabeth (1584) the estate was absolutely conveyed to Edward 
Siddall by Ralph Slade and Joane his wife. The following is an 
abstract of the deed of conveyance : — 

This indenture dated the 9th of June 26 Elizabeth (1 584) between 
Raphe Slade of Brerehurst in the county of Stafford Gent, and Joane 
his now wife upon the one part, and Edward Siddall of Withington 
in the county of Lancaster upon the other part, witnesseth that the 
said Raphe and Joane for the consideration of £10 to them paid 
before sealing, by the said Edward Syddall, have given, granted 
to the said Edward Syddall, &c, all their right, estate, title, &c., 
which they or either of them now have of in or to that messuage 
with the appurtenances called Milkewalleslade in Withington, and 
the buildings, orchards, gardens, &c, thereto belonging, and of and 
in the reversion of the said premises, &c, to have and to hold the 
said messuage, &c, to the sole and proper use of the said Edward 
Syddall, &c, for ever. 

Edward Siddall, after completing the purchase, rebuilt the house 
the following year in its present form, and dying February 18, 1588, 
was succeeded by his son George, who was then twenty-five years of 
age. 

The inquisition post mortem of Edward Siddall was taken at 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 129 

Bolton the 23rd of September 30 Elizabeth (1588). It is as 
follows : — 

Indented inquisition taken at Bolton 23rd of September 30 Eliza- 
beth, before Thomas Hesketh Esquire, escheator of our Lady the 
Queen in the said county by virtue of a writ of the Queen " de diem 
clausit extremum" to him directed, after the death of Edward 
Syddall late of Slade in the said county, in the said writ named, on 
the oaths of Peter Heywood Gent., Alexander Leyver Gent., 
Bichard Leighe Gent., Richard Scooroft Gent., Ralph Greene Gent., 
Richard Wood Gent., Ralph Haughton Gent., Henry Hardy Gent., 
Robert Hardy Gent., Ralph Bridge Gent., George Allonson Gent., 
George Eenyon Gent., Thomas Eaye Gent., Robert Ravalde Gent., 
Henry Ohetham Gent., William Bamford Gent., and Robert But- 
terwofth Gent., who say on their oaths that on the day before the 
death of the said Edward Syddall, &c, the said Edward Syddall was 
seised in his demesne as of fee, of and in one capital messuage or 
tenement called the Milkewall Slade with the appurtenances, and of 
and in certain closes of land containing by estimation twenty-four 
acres situate, &c., in Rusholme and Withington, &c. ; also of and 
in certain other closes and meadows with their appurtenances con- 
taining by estimation twenty acres of land, in Gorton, &o. ; also of 
and in one burgage or tenement and one shop with appurtenances 
situate, &c, in Manchester ; and also of and in the third part of the 
manor of Kerksawe otherwise called Kerksall with the appurte- 
nances ; and of and in one burgage or tenement, two cottages, the 
third part of a water-mill, the third part of one other cottage and 
three acres of land ; and of and in the third part of one other cottage 
and one garden; and of and in forty acres of land, ten acres of 
meadow, thirty acres of pasture, four acres of wood, and the third 
part of a certain waste whether called by the name of Eersall Wood 
or Eersall Moor situate, &c, in Eersawe alias Eersall aforesaid; 
and of a certain free rent of twelve pence yearly, payable out of 
certain lands and tenements called Lees in the parish of Oldham, 
&c, and parcel of the said manor of Eersall ; and of a certain other 
free rent of three shillings and four pence yearly, payable by a 

s 



180 A HISTORY OF THE 

certain Robert Hobson as parcel of the said manor of Keksall ; and 
of a certain other freehold rent of five pence yearly, payable by 
Agnes Lees, a parcel of the said manor of Eerksall. And the said 
Edward Syddall of the said manors, messuages, lands, &c, by a 
certain indented writing of his, gave and granted all and singular the 
said manors, &c, and premises in the said indented deed named, to 
the use of the said Edward Syddall for the term of his life, and after 
his decease to the use of Elizabeth Syddall the then wife of the said 
Edward, and to George Syddall their son, and heir apparent of the 
said Edward Syddall in the said writ named, and the lawful heirs of 
the said George ; and failing all issue, then to the use and benefit of 
Thomas Syddall, younger son of the same Edward Syddall in the 
said writ named, and his heirs male, &c. ; and in default thereof to 
the right heirs of Edward Syddall in the said writ named, for ever. 
In virtue whereof and in pursuance of a certain act in the parliament 
of our Lord Henry VIII., late King of England, and in the twenty- 
seventh year of his reign, " For transferring of uses in possession" 
made and provided, the same Elizabeth and George, after the death 
of the said Edward, were seised of all and singular the said manors, 
messuages, lands, &c, namely the said Elizabeth in her demesne as 
of fee tenement for the term of her life, and the said George in his 
demesne as of like fee. And the said jurors further say on their 
oaths that the said Edward Syddall, &c, then so seised of all and 
singular the said manors, messuages, lands, &c, in all and singular 
the premises, died seised of such estate at Milkwallslade aforesaid, 
the 1 8th of February in the thirtieth year of the reign of our Lady 
the Queen ; and that the said George Syddall is son and next heir 
of the same Edward, and is aged at the time of the taking of this 
inquisition twenty-five years and more. And further the jurors, &c«, 
say that the said messuage or tenement called Milkwall Slade and 
the rest of the premises in Riseholme and Withington aforesaid are 
worth yearly in all outgoings clear of deductions twenty-six shillings 
and eightpence ; and that the said lands and tenements in Gorton 
aforesaid are worth yearly in all outgoings clear of deductions 
sixteen shillings ; and that the said burgage and shop in Manchester 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 131 

aforesaid is worth yearly in all sixpence ; and that the said third 
part of the manor of Eirkshawe or Eerksall aforesaid is worth 
yearly in all outgoings clear of deductions £4*. And further the 
jurors, &c, say that the said messuage or tenement called MiUZwall 
Slade of the said lands or tenements in ftiseholme and Withington 
aforesaid, are held and at the time of the death of the said Edward 
Syddall, &c, were held of Nicholas Langford Esquire by fealty, and 
paid two shillings and sixpence yearly for all services and demands 
whatsoever ; and that the said lands and tenements in Gorton afore- 
said and the said burgage and shop in Manchester aforesaid are held 
at the time of the death of the said Edward Syddall were held of 
John Lacy Esquire, lord of Manchester, by fealty as well as by all 
services, &o. ; and that the said third part of the manor of Eerksawe 
otherwise Eerksall, and the rest of the premises in Eerksawe afore* 
said are held at the time of the death of Edward Syddall, &c, were 
held of the said lady the Queen that now is, in capite, namely by 
the twelfth part of one knight's fee. And further the said jurors, 
&c, say that the said Edward Syddall had no other or more 
manors, lands or tenements on the day of his death, had or held in 
demesne or by service, as far as the said jurors in any way could 
ascertain. In testimony whereof to one part of this inquisition the 
said esoheator as well as the said jurors have set their seals, and to 
the other part of the said inquisition which remains in the custody 
of the said jurors the said escheator has set his seal the day and year 
first above written. 

George Siddall succeeded to the Slade Hall estate, as already 
intimated, on the death of his father in 158b, being at that time 
twenty-five years of age. He married Frances Eay, who if not 
herself a native of Yorkshire, was connected by ties of affinity with 
Richard Eay, of Dodworth, in that county. He appears to have 
conveyed his lands in Eersal to his son George Siddall. He died 
November 14, 1616. His inquisition p.m. taken at Bolton Decem- 
ber 20 in that year, makes no reference to his Eersal property, which 
had already been transferred to his son. He died seised of Slade 
Hall and twenty-four acres of land, of twenty acres of land in 
Gorton, and of a burgage, tenement or shop in Manchester. 



132 A HISTORY OF THE 

George Siddall, his son and heir, was in his twenty-ninth year 
when he succeeded his father in the family inheritance in 1616. By 
a deed executed in his father's life time, dated March 22, 1613, he 
conveyed a part of his lands in Kersal to George Eenyon Gent., for 
the consideration of i?150. They are described as two closes in 
Eersal called the Round Meadow and the Little Bed Stone, and 
four acres of Eersal moore or Eersal wood, " to bee taken out of the 
parte belonging and which of right ought to belong to me George 
Siddall, in commune or upon dyvision, partition, improvement or 
inclosure of y 6 said moore." The greater portion, however, of the 
estate was transferred by the said George and Eatharine his wife 
immediately after his father's death. By indenture dated November 
2, 1616, George Siddall and Eatharine his wife, in consideration of 
the sum of i?365, grant, bargain, sell and confirm to William 
Leaver, of Darcy Leaver, all and singular the messuages, lands, &c., 
as follows, namely, all that messuage and tenement situate in Eersal, 
now or late in the tenure or occupation of John Aston, and aH that 
other messuage in Eersal, in the occupation of Abraham Seddon ; 
also one full third part of the messuage in Eersal, in the occupation 
of William Digle, and also one third part of the water corn mill in 
Eersal, commonly called Eersal Mylne, now in the tenure of 
Richard Holland Esq. ; also all that and those the barn, stable and 
shippon in Eersal aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation 
of the said George Siddall and of Adam Gartside, of Prestwich, 
yeoman ; together with a bay of building in Eersal aforesaid at the 
end of the shippon, now or late in the tenure of George Eenyon 
Gent. ; also all those closes, &c, in Eersal, namely, the Oakes, now 
or late in the tenure of George Siddall and George Eenyon ; the 
Barn Field, now in the tenure of George Eenyon ; the two Thistle 
Fields, the Horse Hey, the Warthe, the Bottoms Wood Field, and 
the Bottoms Wood, now or late in the tenure of the said Adam 
Gartside ; together with a third part of the close lying in Eersal 
aforesaid, commonly known as the Meane Field; and also all the 
part, purpartie and porcon of the said George Siddall of and in that 
oomon or moore in Eersal aforesaid, commonly known by the name 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 133 

of Kersal moore or Kersal wood ; and all that rent of three shillings 
and four pence issuing out of that messuage in Awdwynshawe in 
the county of Lancaster, now or late in the tenure of Baphe Hobson 
Gent. 

In addition to this transfer of the Kersal estate George Siddall, 
who must be regarded as the spendthrift of the family, alienated in 
1627 to John Beswick of Manchester chapman and his heirs for 
ever, two closes of land in Grindlow Marsh within Gorton, in extent 
five acres, and known by the respective names of the Two Acres and 
the Cullenfield. The purchase money paid was £40. 

On the 25th August 1629 he grants a seven years' lease of his 
" capital messuage called Milkwall Slade or Slade" to John Einsey, 
of Blackden in Goosetree in the county of Chester Gent., in consi- 
deration of the payment by John Einsey of the sum of £1 60 ; the 
lease included also all lands belonging to the said George Siddall in 
Withington, Gorton and Grindlowe, &c, and at the termination of 
the seven years specified the lease was renewed for the further period 
of forty years, to commence from the death of Katharine, wife of 
George Siddall. Mr. Kinsey had married, the month preceding the 
date of the first lease, Anne, daughter of George Birch of Birch 
Gent., and sister of the afterwards celebrated Colonel Thomas 
Birch M.P. 

In 1664 Mr. Siddall was summoned to appear before Sir William 
Dugdale, Norroy King of Arms, when holding his Visitation of the 
county of Lancaster, to register his descent and justify his title of 
gentleman or esquire, and his right to bear such coat of arms and 
crest as he usually bears. Mr. Siddall was at this time residing in 
Birchall houses in Busholme, his own estate being under lease to 
Mr. Kinsey. It does not appear that the family of Siddall was 
heraldic. He died at an advanced age, and probably outlived his 
son Thomas, John, eldest son of Thomas Siddall, being declared 
executor under the will of his grandfather. 

There is nothing in the later descent of the family to call for 
special notice ; the line of succession has continued unbroken to the 
present time. It is now vested in John Siddall Gent., who has 



184 A HISTORY OF THE 

ceased to reside at the hall, and is living abroad. He is married, 
and has male issue. 

Slade Hall is situated a few yards to the west of the London and 
North Western line of railway. Though some parts of the house 
have been modernised, and considerable alterations have from time 
to time been made in the internal arrangements, it still retains suffi- 
cient traces of its former self to render it deserving the notice of the 
antiquary. It appears to have been erected about the middle of 
the sixteenth century, a supposition which is borne out by the date 
1585 and the letters E. S. and G. S. corresponding with the initials 
of Edward Siddall, the purchaser of the estate, and George Siddall, 
his son and successor, which appear over the principal doorway, 
and exhibits the general features and characteristics common to the 
timber houses of that period. The structure is in the form of a 
parallelogram, with two gables of unequal size projecting from the 
north or principal front. The building is constructed almost entirely 
of wood, a stone foundation supporting the massive oak timbers 
which form the framework, the latter connected by horizontal wall* 
pieces of the same material, carried along the face of the building, 
these being firmly bolted to the upright posts, and receiving addi- 
tional strength from diagonal bracing ribs, the intervening spaces 
being filled with a plaster of clay and rushes, and whitened on the 
surface. The windows are square, exhibiting a number of lights 
divided by substantial timber mullions, and crossed by a transom of 
the same material. The house is of two stories, the upper story 
projecting a little beyond the lower, and the roof overhanging this 
again, a peculiarity frequently met with in buildings of this class ; 
the several gables have barge-boards, simple in character, and ter- 
minated by hip-knobs, slightly ornamented. 

The interior presents little to call for attention, if we except some 
of the upper rooms, where some ornamental plaster- work of very fair 
execution still remains in a tolerable state of preservation. In a 
room on the north side of the house the ceiling is embellished in 
stucco-work, and on one of the walls are three heraldic shields. The 
centre one, encircled by a garter, and surmounted by the letters 



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ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 185 

E. R., bears the arms of Queen Elizabeth, in whose reign the hall 
was built: Quarterly 1st and 4th, az. three fleurs-de-lis or for 
France; 2nd and 3rd, gules three lions passant, guardant or for 
England. Supporters: Dexter, a lion rampant, guardant and 
crowned or. Sinister : A dragon gules. To the left of this shield 
is another, divided into eleven quarterings, containing the arms of 
the Stanley family and their alliances, the first five quarters of which 
are 1st, arg. on a bend az. three bucks 1 heads, caboshed or, for 
Stanley ; 2nd, or on a chief indented az. three plates, for Lathom ; 
3rd, gu. three legs conjoined in the fesse point, in armour ppr. 
garnished and spurred or, for Isle of Man ; 4th, chequy or and az. 
for Warren ; 5th, gu. two lions passant arg. for Strange. Supporters : 
Dexter, a griffin. Sinister : a buck, both or and ducally collared and 
chained az. This shield is surrounded by a garter, and over it are 
the letters E. D., the initials of Edward Earl of Derby, who died in 
1572, so celebrated by Camden for his magnificence and liberality. 
To the right of the centre coat of arms is another shield of eleven 
quarterings, which cannot be identified, a coronet and supporters 
denoting it to be that of a peer. Above the shield are the letters 
E. S. On another wall is depicted a hunting scene with stag and 
dogs in plaster-work, somewhat rude in execution ; and near it an 
eagle with wings endorsed, preying upon an infant in its cradle, the 
crest of the Stanley family. 



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ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 187 



Birch Chapel, dedicated to St. James, was erected by the Birch 
family, and consecrated in the reign of Elizabeth. Dr. Hibbert 
Ware conjectures that it was built sometime between the years 1558 
and 1573, but we have it on Bishop GastrelFs authority that it was 
consecrated by his predecessor Dr. Ghaderton, whose episcopate 
commenced in 1579 and terminated in 1595; and in confirmation 
of this we find that in 1573, when injunctions were given by the 
Archbishop of York to the Warden of Manchester, exhorting him 
and the Fellows to diligent and constant preaching every Sunday 
in the Church of Manchester or in one of the chapels of ease con- 
nected with it, Birch Chapel is not included, whilst the chapels of 
Stretford, Chorlton, Didsbury, Gorton, Denton, Newton and Black- 
ley are all named. 1 Like most of the other chapels in the parish of 
Manchester its early use was doubtless limited to the family on 
whose estate it was erected, and their immediate dependents, after- 
wards extending its influence as the surrounding population increased 
and possessing a more public character. At first it was wholly 
unendowed ; the income of the officiating minister arising exclusively 
from the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants of Busholme and 
its neighbourhood, and these being at all times precarious, the chapel 
was frequently left without ministerial superintendence. Such was 
the case in 1598, as we learn from the Visitation returns of that 
year, — " Birche chapel in Busholme latelie erected and now voyd 
of a curate." In 1636 Mr. Bentley's income from the chapel- wage, 
as this contribution was termed, amounted to £17 2s. 7d. It was 
in 1640 that a subscription was first commenced for the purchase 
of land, "to bee laid to the Birch chapell," and intended as a 
permanent endowment-fund. The number of contributors was 
sixty-seven, and the amount raised was i?40 8s. 8d. Amongst the 
donors' names we find u ould M ris Birche £5 ; Raphe Worsley £4> ; 
Thomas Shelmerdine £2; Mr. Siddall of Slade £1 6s. 8d. ;" but as 
the interest of the sum thus collected was too small to supersede the 
necessity for the customary annual subscription, " moneyes" were also 

1 Hollingworth's Chronicles of Manchester, p. 88. 

T 



138 A HISTORY OF THE 

" gathered for the charges of proouringe meanes for the ministry at 
Birch Chapell," Mr. Raphe Worsley heading the list with 8s., 
followed by old Mrs. Birch 5s. 3d., Mr. Birch 5s., Mr. Siddall 
3s. 4d. and Anne Edge 2s. 6d. The special fund for the endowment 
of the chapel was expended the same year in the purchase of a small 
estate, two acres in extent, of the inheritance of Mr. Thomas Siddall 
of Slade, situated at Longsight, and known by the name of the Great 
Pendleton, to which Colonel Birch added as a gift about an acre of 
land from his own estate at Grindlow Marsh in Gorton, which 
adjoined the two acres already purchased, and caused the whole to 
be conveyed to himself, promising to reconvey both estates to such 
trustees as the inhabitants should appoint. The unsettled period of 
the Commonwealth succeeding, no reconveyance was immediately 
made, but in 1658 Colonel Bfrch, unknown to the inhabitants of 
Rusholme, settled the lands upon bis eldest son Thomas Birch and 
his heirs to the following uses : " to the use and behoofe of one 
orthodox preaching minister of the gospell, to be constantly resident, 
to performe divine service att the chappell att Birche in the parish 
of Manchester and county of Lancaster, and to the use and behoofe 
of such his successors as shall be orthodox preaching ministers, and 
constantly resident att the said chappell for ever." On its being 
made known to the inhabitants that Colonel Birch had constituted 
his son sole trustee they expressed their dissatisfaction, and requested 
of him that he would reconvey the estate to a body of trustees 
elected by the inhabitants ; and accordingly by a deed dated Decem- 
ber 20, 1672. Colonel Birch and his son Thomas made a new 
conveyance of the land to George Birch Gent, (son and heir of 
Thomas Birch the younger, and grandson of the colonel), Raphe 
Worsley of Piatt Gent., John Siddall of Slade Gent., Oliver Edge of 
Birchall Fold Gent., Robert Birch of Grindlow Gent., George 
Worsley of Blakestake Gent., Thomas Hartley of Moss Side 
yeoman, Ralph Cowper of Cringlebrook yeoman, Ralphe Nicholson 
of Cringlebrook yeoman, Isaac Hall of Levenshulme yeoman, and 
John Bradshaw of Fallowfield yeoman. In this* latter conveyance, 
however, the terms of the former trust were changed, and no doubt 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 139 

with a view of detaching the benefits of the endowment from the 
episcopal and conferring them on the Presbyterian form of worship, 
which had in the interim become more popular. Instead of the 
rents, issues and profits being limited specifically to Birch Chapel as 
in the former deed, they are directed " ever hereafter, to the pleasure 
of Almighty God, to bee yearely from time to time, justly, truely, 
carefully, faithfully and wholly disposed of, distributed and imployed 
for the good and benefitt of the inhabitants in or neere Birche for 
the time beinge, in such manner and sorte as all or the greater parte 
of the trustees aforesaid shall order and appoint." Such a perversion 
of the intentions of the original contributors to the fund naturally 
gave offence to all who remained staunch to the old form of church 
government, and a threatened misapplication of the rent of the estate 
on the part of George Birch Gent., one of the trustees, was met by a 
strong remonstrance, and laid the foundation for disputes, which 
were not settled until the year 1743. In that year a case was 
prepared for counsel, and submitted to Mr. Edward Ghetham, who 
decided that the second deed executed by Colonel Birch was valid in 
so far as it transferred the trust from the exclusive control of his 
own family into the hands of a body of trustees appointed by the 
inhabitants, but that the application of the funds must be regulated 
by the deed first executed, which limits to Birch Chapel the lands 
in question and their yearly profits. The duties of the trustees of 
the chapel lands were not only to collect the rents as they became 
due, but also to superintend the collecting and disbursing of all other 
sums of money raised for church purposes. The custom appears to 
have been to have a weekly collection from the congregation. From 
this fund, to which was afterwards added the rent of the chapel 
lands, Mr. Finch received by agreement ten shillings for each 
Sunday, and all expenses incurred in keeping the chapel in repair 
were hence defrayed. In 1679, after the payment to Mr. Finch of 
the stipulated sum, there remained of the total amount collected in 
the chapel a surplus of £1 15s. 2d., "out of w ch sume Mr. flinch 
had ten shillinges of a gratuity because he had beene sicke, soe there 
remained £1 5s. 2d., out of w ch was paid seven shillinges and six 



140 A HISTORY OF THE 

pence for repaire of the Chappell and eight shillinges six pence more 
was lost in had and broken money ; soe then there remained nine 
shillings two pence w ^ was paid in pte of a greater sume ffor the 
continuation of the liberty att the Chappell." 

In 1651 this estate produced to Mr. John Wigan, then minister 
of the chapel, the sum of £3 10s., to which until recently had been 
added a certain annual grant from sequestrations, now withdrawn. 1 
This was declared to be its annual value at the commencement of 
the last century, when a return was made of its value to Bishop 
Gastrell. The voluntary contributions of the inhabitants in aid of 
the endowment amounted at the latter period to about £9. The 
estate remained in possession of the chapel until very recently, and 
formed in part the site of the old parsonage-house. In 1850 it was 
thought desirable to sell the house, which was much dilapidated, 
and also a plot of land, in extent 7,197 square yards, being part of 
the field lying on the north-east side of the turnpike road at Long- 
sight in Gorton. This was done under the authority of a commission 
issued by the Bishop of the Diocese. The house realised £ 75, and 
the land £ 1,1 99 10s v being at the rate of two pence per square yard 
at twenty years' purchase. The proceeds of the sale were applied 
in 1851 to the erection of a new parsonage-house nearer to Birch 
Chapel. The remainder of the estate is let on chief, and produces 
an income of i?30 per annum. 

In 1708 Warden Wroe returns the value of Birch Chapel at 
£3 10s., which was of course exclusive of the voluntary contribu- 
tions of the inhabitants; and in 1720 the Bev. Thomas Wright, 
who held the chapels of Didsbury and Birch together, estimates the 
"contribution" of the Birch congregation at £16 per annum, whilst 
that of Didsbury, owing to certain dissensions which prevailed, had 
dwindled to £5 4s. " My friends in Manchester," he says, " advise 
me to preach three Sundays at Birch and one at Didsbury." 

In 1747 John Dickenson Esq., who by his then recent purchase 
of the Birch estate, had become patron of the chapel, contributed 
i?200 towards its endowment. This was met by a grant from the 
Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, and an estate called Schoolshill, 

1 Lansdowne MSS. 459, fo. 5. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 141 

situated upon Gilbert Moss in Cheadle Mosley in the parish of 
Gheadle and in the county of Chester, was purchased in 1763 for the 
sum of £630, Mr. Dickenson at the time of its purchase adding 
<s(?30 to the amount of his previous contribution. It consisted of a 
farm house, cottage, and thirty-two acres of land, and was exchanged 
in 1798 for a farm, outbuildings and 19a. 2r. 23p. Cheshire measure, 
also in Gheadle, producing in 1849 an annual rent of i565. The 
London and North Western Railway intersects this estate, and has 
paid i?600 for the land required, which sum has been invested in 
the funds. In 1780 Miss Mary Dickenson gave, with a like object, 
the sum of i?200, which was met by a grant from Queen Anne's 
Bounty of a corresponding amount, and in 1 782 this sum of i5400 
was expended in the purchase of an estate called Moorside in 
Gastleton near Rochdale, consisting of a house, outbuildings and 
eight acres of land. This produced in 1849 an annual rent of £35. 

On the 16th of June 1650 an inquisition was taken at Manchester 
before Richard Standish, James Ashton, Alexander Barlow, Thomas 
Birch, Robert Mawdesley, John Hartley and Peter Holt Esquires, 
Commissioners under the Great Seal of England, with a view to 
effecting a more equitable adjustment of ecclesiastical districts. The 
commissioners report that " in the township of Wythington*are the 
four chapels of Diddesbury, Birch, Ghorleton and Denton, which 
chapels are (it to be made a district parish.'* 1 Their report is correct 
as to Withington manor though not of the township. They add, 
moreover, that u Ghorleton [on Medlock] hath neither church nor 
chapel nor benefice, and the inhabitants resort to Birch and Man- 
chester ; part of the township near Birch should be annexed to it, 
and the other part continued to Manchester." These suggestions 
were not carried out. 

In March 1850 Birch was returned as a district chapelry under 
59 George III. cap. 134, its annnal value being estimated at £\S0. 
It was constituted a rectory under the provisions of the Manchester 
Rectory Division Act, by an order in council dated June 8, 1854. 

The registers of the chapel are all of a recent date, commencing in 
the year 1752, the earlier volumes having been lost. 



142 



A HISTORY OF THE 



A ground-plan of Birch Chapel, undated, but which may be 
referred to the year 1 640 or thereabouts, is still in existence ; the 
family from the Hall is not included in the enumeration of seat- 
owners, and it is difficult to account for the omission. 

A Divition ofy*fforme8 in the Birche Chapel. 



1. Mr. Sidall 18s. 4d. 



2. John Hobson. 



3. Tho. Trayiss. 
Robert Bamford. 
James Redich. 
Thomas ffletcher. 
Widow Bordman. 



4. John Wilkinson jun. 
Edmund Smith. 
William Bradshaw. 
John Halle. 



6. John Shelmerdine. 
Thomas Timperley. 
John Hobson, carier. 
John Smith. 



6. Isack Halle. 
Robert Bowker. 
Thomas Janney. 



7. Edward Baguley. 
Joseph Kenion. 
John Hunt. 
Thomas PersiyaU. 



8. Edmund Knowles. 
Steren Sholcrosse. 
Richard PersiyaU. 
John PersiyaU. 



9. George Aspinwall. 
Tho. Bamford. 
Robt. Bradshaw. 
Mary Davie. 



10. Robert Talior family. 
Nicholas Baley. 
Tho. Bamford junior. 



1. Raphe Worsley. 



2. Thomas Shelmerdine. 
Thomas Hartley. 
William Shelmerdine. 



3. George Sidall. 
William Nicholson. 
Richard Trayiss. 
Widow Bradshaw. 



4. Thomas Wolwerke. 
Richard Johnson. 
Widow Bradshaw. 
Widow Edge. 



6. John Wilkinson. 
John Barlow. 
Charles Worsley. 
Wid. Williamson. 
John Dikonson. 
people. 



6. Henry Hughes. 
Renould Perkinson. 
Abednego Ridinges. 
Tho. Birch, blacksmith. 



7. Widow Blomiley 
Edward Worsley. 
Henry Reade. 
John Hoult. 



8. Edmund Whitioar. 
Alexander Birch. 
Broome doughters. 



9. George Prescot. 
James Wosencroft. 
Henry Broome. 



10. John Birche. 
Widow Dickonson. 

Tho. Trayiss, houson grene. 
George Pomfret. 

11. William Birche. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 



143 



The Chapel-Book, which bears date 1636, is more comprehensive, 
giving at once the adjacent hamlets connecting themselves with the 
chapel at that period, and also a list of the families then resident in 
the several localities, and the amount paid by each in support of the 
ministrations at Birch Chapel. 



Birche and Birch hall houses. 
M" 8 Anne Birche, 25 8 
Mr. Thomas Birche, 20* 
Oliver Edge, 25* 
Thomas Greaves, 4 s 
John Bidinges, 2 8 
Tho. Birch, blacksmith, 2» 
Henry Hughes, 4 s 
Edmund Whitticar, 2 s 

Slade and Rushford. 
Mr. Kinsey, 6" 8 d 
Mr. Sidall, 13 8 4 d 
Joseph Kenion, 6 s 
Abram Kenion, 4 s 
M** 8 Adkinson, 4 s 

Grinlow and Chorlton. 
Thomas Wolwerke, 8 s 
John Bradshaw, 4 s 
George Pomfret, 2 B 
Thomas Persivall, 4 s 
John Hunt, 2 s 
Edmund Enowles, 2 s 
Widow Williamson, 3* 4* 
James Boden, 2 s 
Bobert RadclhTe, 2' 
Adam Hulme 
William Streete 



William Jobson 
Jacob Taylor, 4" 

Levenshulme. 
Widow Percival, 5 s 
John and Bobert Dickonson, 4 s 
Allexander Birch, 2 8 6 d 
Isack Halle, 3 s 4 d 
Richard Johnson, 5 8 
John Shelmerdine, 4* 
Bobert Broome 
Thomas Timperley, 3 8 
William Mellor 
William Nicholson, 6" 
Nicholas Baylie, 2 s 
Widow Taylor, 2 8 
Robert Taylor, l 8 
Raphe Glossop, 4 s 
Richard Smith 
Thomas Hobson, 3 s 
Edward Gorton, 2" 
John Hobson, jun. 
Widow Bouker, l 8 
John Birch, 2 8 
James Bouker, 2 8 
John Percivall, 4" 
Richard Percivall, 2 s 
Nicholas Wimbell, 4" 
Rodger Bewsicke, 2 8 8 d 



144 



A HISTORY OF THE 



Raphe Marlor 
Joseph Stoppard, 3 s 
Thomas Smith, I s 

Rushulme. 
Raphe Worsley, 28 8 
Thomas Shelmerdine, 13 8 4 d 
Charles Worsley, 4 s 
William Shelmerdine, 8 s 
Thamas Travis, 10» 
John Davie of Manchester, 4 8 
Thomas Shelmerdine, sen., 3 s 4 d 
Marie Davie, l 8 4A 
Adam Sidall, 2» 4 d 
John Wilkinson, whelewrit, 4 8 
Robert Bouker, 3 8 4 d 
Richard Travisse, & 8 d 
Renould Parkinson, 3 s 
Margret Dickonson, l 8 4 d 
Thomas Janney, 4 s 
John Davie, 2 s 8 d 
Edward Baguley, 3 8 4 d 
William Birch, l 8 4 d 
Thomas Bamford, 2 8 
Edward Worsley, 2 s 
Thomas Hartley, Moss-side, 4 s 



Matthew Barlow, Heaton 
Edmund Smith, 4 s 

ffallowfeUd, Ladie Borne, fyc. 
Robert Bamford, 4 s 
Thomas ffletcher, 4 s 
Widow Bordman, 3 s 
Richard Bordman, 2 s 
George Sidall, 6 s 
James Redich, 4" 
Robert Bradshaw, 6 s 
Elizabeth Blomiley, 2 8 
John Barlow, 4 s 
George Blomiley, 2 s 
John Smith alias England, I s 4 d 

fVithvngton and housend. 
Robert Brook, 2 s 
Nicholas Langford, I 8 4 d 
Alice Baguley, 2 8 8 d 
William Langford, 3 s 
John Wood, 2 8 
ffrancis Wood, l 8 4 d 
Randle Sedon, I s 4 d 
William Blomiley, 2 8 
Deaffe Margret, 2 8 



The subordination of Birch Chapel to Manchester Church is 
shown in the payment of tithes to the Warden and Fellows of 
Manchester as rectors of the entire parish. In 1701 the tithes of 
Rusholme proper, in which township Birch Chapel is situated, were 
leased by the Warden and Fellows to Mr. Worsley for £5. The 
tithes chargeable on the Birch demesne were farmed by Mr. Birch 
for £3 15s., and on Birchall £1 14s., and Mr. Siddall was lessee of 
the tithes of his own estate of Slade, and paid five shillings and 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OP BIRCH. 145 

sixpence; making a total of £10 14s. 6d. In 1848 the rent-charge, 
payable to the Dean and Chapter of Manchester in lieu of tithes 
over the whole township of Rusholme was £84*. No district was ever 
assigned to Birch Chapel, that apparently given to it in the Chapel- 
Book of 1636 being merely conventional, suggested by convenience, 
and not recognised or sanctioned by any authority. 

The earliest known allusion to Birch Chapel represents it as de- 
prived of ministerial superintendence ; this would be within a few 
years of the date of its erection ; the Visitation returns of 1598 thus 
referring to it: "Birche Chapel in Rusholme latelie erected and 
now voyd of a curate." 

The first minister whose name has been recorded is one Richard 
Lingard, curate of the chapel in 1622. Of him nothing more than 
his name is known. At the time indicated he was within a year of 
the termination of his incumbency. In 1623 the Rev. Thomas 
Norman was found discharging the duties of the office, having 
relinquished the chapel at Gorton, where his name occurs in 1618- 
21. It is uncertain how long he remained at Birch, but from the 
recurrence of his name in the Gorton register in 1641 and later in 
1650, it is conjectured that after a brief, stay at Birch he returned to 
his former charge at Gorton. He was still resident in Rusholme in 
the capacity of Curate of Birch Chapel in October 1632, at which 
time he buried a daughter (Elizabeth) at the Collegiate Church, and 
even as late as April 3, 1633, when his daughter Sarah was also 
buried. In 1635 a Mr. Bentley officiated at Birch-, and is described 
in the registers of Didsbury Chapel of that year, at which time and 
place he christened one of his children, as preacher at Birch Chapel, 
being followed by a Mr. Hall, who was resident there in a like 
capacity in 1641. 

In 1646 the Rev. John Wigan, leaving Gorton, fixed his residence 
at Birch, " where he set up Congregationalism," this being about the 
time when the Independents or Congregationalists first prominently 
opposed the Presbyterian form of church government. Adam 
Martindale (Zi/e, p. 61) speaks of these new opinions as " tugging 
hard at Gorton to get in there in the days of Mr. Wigan, my prede- 

u 



146 A HISTORY OF THE 

cessor, who spent his afternoons' sermons constantly to promote it, 
and meeting with remoras too weighty to be removed, he was then 
using all endeavours to get it up at Birch, which in time he effected/' 
The difference in his views on church matters led to his seclusion 
from his Presbyterian brethren, who made an effort, though an 
unsuccessful one, to secure his adhesion, the result of which is stated 
in the proceedings of that body under the date June 9, 1 647 : — 
" The members of y e last classis appointed to deal with Mr. Wigan 
returned answer that the said Mr. Wigan was not desirous to meet 
them as members of a class but as fellow-brethren ; promised to 
return his scruples to you in writing ; not yet done." 1 Mr. Wigan 
afterwards left Birch, and indeed ceased from the ministry. Having 
entered the army he became first a captain and afterwards a major. 
Martindale makes another allusion to him (Life, p. 75) when 
speaking of the revolutions in church and state which succeeded the 
death of Charles L: — "Diverse of the ministers of the classis 
hurried about and imprisoned at Liverpool and Ormskirke till it 
came even to peaceable Mr. Angier : those of Manchester, viz. Mr. 
Heyrick and Mr. Uollinworth put to pensions (if they got them), 
the colledge lands being sold and the colledge itself to Mr. Wigan, 
who now being turned Antipsedobaptist and I know not what more, 
made a barne there into a chappell, where he and many of bis 
perswasion preached doctrine diametrically opposite to the ministers 
perswasion under their very nose." From the Parliamentary Com- 
missioners' 1 Report of 1650 it appears that Mr. John Wigan was 
still at Birch. He is therein described as "a painfull godly 
preaching minister," and as having " received some maintenance out 
of the sequestrations, but all orders expiring about midsummer 1650 
he then depended on the contributions of the people." 2 His resig- 
nation followed shortly after. Of his children, Elizabeth was 
married February 19, 1656, to Mr. Daniel Dunbaven of Warrington, 
and Lydia June 10, 1658, to the Rev. William Morris of Man- 
chester. 

1 Proceedings of the Firrt JUcmcheeter Wauie, a MS. in the Ohetham Library. 

9 Lanedowne M8S. 469, fo. 6. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 147 

On the 1 3th of July 1659, the Rev. Robert Birch, minister of Birch 
Chapel, was present at a meeting of ministers convened in Manches- 
ter, for the purpose of settling amicably the differences of opinion 
prevailing amongst them in religious matters. At this meeting it 
was agreed to i( lay to heart all unnecessary distances and unbrotherly 
carriages one towards another and engage in this accommodation in 
all unfeigned love and steadfast resolution, to pray one with and for 
another, and to lay aside to their utmost all words and carriages that 
may violate or prejudice this Christian communion." 1 Mr. Birch 
was probably a member of the family possessing the patronage of 
the chapel. Refusing to conform he was silenced on the passing of 
the Act of Uniformity in 1662, and afterwards altogether abandoning 
the ministeral function, practised as a physician and surgeon. 2 He 
died in 1693. His will, which is dated June 24, 1692, was proved 
at Chester October 4, 1693, and is as follows : — I, Robert Birch, of 
Grindlowe within the township of Chorlton alias Chorlton roe in the 
county of Lancaster, clerk, being weak in body but of sound and 
perfect memory, thanks be to Almighty God, do make, constitute, 
ordain and declare this my last will and testament, in manner and 
form following, revoking by these presents all former will and wills 
heretofore by me declared either by word or writing. And first, I 
give and commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, assuredly 
believing through the merits of Jesus Christ to be eternally saved ; 
and my body to the earth to be buried in such decent manner as to my 
executrix hereafter herein named shall be thought meet. And now 
for the settling of my temporal estate and such lands, goods, chattels 
and debts as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I do order, 
give, devise and bequeath the same in manner and form following : 
And first, I will that my debts, if any such be, my funeral expenses 
and the probate of this my last will and testament, be paid out of 
my whole personal estate by my executrix hereafter herein named. 
Item I give, devise and bequeath unto Mary, my loving wife, all 
that my messuage and lands situate, lying and being in Chorlton roe 

1 Proceedings of the First Manchester Classis, 
3 Calamy's Abridgment, vol. iL, p. 414. 



148 A HISTORY OF THE 

aforesaid, containing by estimation sixteen acres of land or therea- 
bouts, to have and to hold to her and her assigns for her natural life. 
And as touching and concerning my personal estate, I do give, 
devise, dispose and bequeath the same in manner and form following, 
that is, first I give and bequeath unto all such of my grandchildren 
as shall be living at the time of my decease ten shillings apiece to be 
paid out of my said personal estate ; and afterwards it is my will 
and mind that my personal estate be divided into three equal parts, 
the first part whereof I give and bequeath to Mary, my loving wife ; 
and as for and concerning the other two parts, it is my will and 
mind and I give and bequeath the same to be equally divided 
amongst my three daughters, Margaret, Mary and Martha, share 
and share alike. And lastly, I do hereby constitute, ordain, 
nominate and appoint Mary, my loving wife, to be the sole and 
whole executrix of this my last will and testament, trusting she will 
duly execute the same. In witness whereof I the said Robert Birch 
unto this my last will and testament have set my hand and seal, &c. 

Witnesses, Eliezer Birch, Jane Manifould, John Hall. 

The inventory of his "goods and chattels" amounted to £141 
10s. lid. 

Of his successor nothing is known, and it is not until after the 
lapse of ten years that the blank is filled up in the chain of 
succession. During that interval, in 1670-1, Adam Martindale, 
himself ejected from Bostheme in 1662, states {Life, p. 193) that 
he " preached publickly in two neighbour chapells, Gorton and 
Birch ;" but this, it is probable, he did with no regularity, and 
when permitted to do so, then only perhaps by the connivance of 
Colonel Birch, the laws against nonconformity being pressed with 
the utmost rigour. At this time the nonconformists of the neigh- 
bourhood assembled at Birch Hall for the occasional celebration of 
divine service. Even this they were compelled to do by stealth, 
the Conventicle Act (as it was called) adjudging that " every person 
above sixteen years of age present at any meeting under pretence of 
any exercise of religion in other manner than is the practice of the 
Church of England, where there are five persons more than the 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 149 

household, shall for the first offence be sent to gaol three months or 
pay £5; for the second offence double; and for the third trans- 
portation for seven years, or a fine of £100." On Sunday November 
18, 1666, Colonel Birch, in contravention of this law, permitted two 
wandering ministers from Germany to preach at Birch Hall. They 
were engaged from nine to three speaking very fluently, denouncing 
all manner of woe to England, in exhorting the people to fly and 
take refuge in Germany. They sang two German hymns with 
well-tuned voices, the purport of one of which, when sung at the 
house of an old commonwealth officer, beginning " Hark, how the 
trumpet sounds . ,v> might well excite some alarm in the minds of the 
neighbouring royalists. The magistrates took the opportunity of 
putting the Conventicle Act in force against Colonel Birch and 
several persons who were present at this meeting, amongst whom 
was the wife of Ralph Worsley, a gentleman of Rusholme, ancestor 
of the Worsleys of Piatt, friends of the Nonconformists. 1 

In 1672 the Rev. Henry Finch was appointed to the chapel. Mr. 
Finch was born in the parish of Standish in the county of Lancaster, 
and baptised September 8, 1633. He was educated at Wigan and 
Standish schools, and afterwards proceeded to the university. His 
earlier ministrations were in the Fylde country, until in 1656 he 
obtained the vicarage of Walton. From this living he was ejected 
in 1662 on the passing of the Act of Uniformity, and returned to 
Warrington, where his wife's friends resided. " By the Corporation 
Act 2 in 1665 he was forced to remove again, and the kind providence 
of God brought him to Manchester, though he was a stranger to the 
place and the people. Thither fled several other ministers (it not 

1 Hunter's Life of Oliver Keywood, p. 188. 

* This act, more generally known as the " Five Mile Act," prohibited Noncon- 
formist ministers from approaching within fire miles of any parish, town or place 
wherein they had acted as ministers, or within five miles of any city, town corporate 
or borough, upon forfeiture, for every such offence, of the sum of £40. The only 
means by which the rigour of this act could be avoided was by taking an oath 
denying the lawfulness under any pretence whatsoever of taking arms against the 
king, and promising never at any time to attempt any alteration of the government 
either in church or state. 



150 A HISTORY OF THE 

being a corporation) who lived in great harmony and usefulness to 
the town and adjacent country. Here, also, he ordinarily joined in 
public worship with the Established Church till the liberty in 1672, 
when he renewed his beloved work of preaching publickly, at Birch 
Chapel, with great diligence and cheerfulness. His great prudence 
and wise management kept him employed when his brethren were 
silenced by the recalling of their licenses." 1 On the passing of the 
Act of Toleration Mr. Finch certified his Majesty's Justices assem- 
bled in court at Manchester July 26, 1689, that he intends his own 
house in Manchester, as also the place called Birch Chapel within 
the parish of Manchester, for his preaching to their Majesties Pro- 
testant subjects dissenting from the Church of England, assembling 
there for their religious worship ; at which court upon the said Mr. 
Finch his notifying the said chapel for that purpose, Dr. Wroe, 
Warden of the Collegiate Church in Manchester, came into the said 
court and excepted against his the said Mr. Finch preaching in the 
said Chapel of Birch, shewing that the same is one of the consecrated 
chapels appertaining to the Warden and Fellows of the said Colle- 
giate Parish Church of Manchester, and did absolutely deny his 
consent to the said Mr. Finch his admittance to officiate there. All 
which is certified by 

Roger Kenton, 

Clerk of the Peace, com. Lane. 
Once during the term of Mr. Finch's ministrations at Birch, 
" they thrust a conformist into his place, but for want of main- 
tenance that project dropped, and Mr. Finch continued with his 
flock in that place till the chief proprietor died, whose heir took the 
chapel from him." 2 This event occurred in 1697. On his retire- 
ment from Birch Chapel, Mr. Finch, assisted by his friends and 
some of the more influential members of his late congregation, 
erected a nonconformist chapel at Piatt in Busholme, of which he 
became the first minister. He died November 13, 1704, in the 
seventy-second year of his age. " He was," says Calamy, " a great 
blessing and help to the younger ministers, who loved and honoured 

1 Calamy' b Abridgment, vol ii. pp. 404-407. * Ibid. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 151 

him as a father, and his behaviour to them was full of condescension 
and tenderness. He greatly resented either anything that broke in 
upon order or tended to the reproach of the ministry ; in particular 
the bold intruding of forward and rash young men without examina- 
tion and trial. As he was of sound and healing principles in 
religion, so his thoughts about civil government were according to 
the English constitution. He absolutely refused the Engagement, 
and was desirous of King Charles's return. After the defeat of Sir 
George Booth, the sequestrators seized all of Mr. Finch's estate they 
could meet with, which he had certainly lost for his love to the king 
if the speedy turn of affairs had not prevented. He rejoiced at the 
revolution of 1688, and entirely fell in with it; and yet he had a 
greater tenderness for those who refused the oaths, and lost their places 
for conscience sake ; to some of them he was a charitable contri- 
butor while he lived. His preaching was clear and methodical, and 
was adapted to convince the mind and to move the passions. He 
lived, according to his profession, a peaceable life in all godliness 
and honesty ."* 

After the dismissal of Mr. Finch, there occurs an interval of two 
years, in which no settled curate seems to have been appointed, or 
if any such there was his name is now unknown. 

On the 17th September 1699, George Birch Esq. nominated the 
Bev. Samuel Taylor M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, "to 
serve at my domestick chappell of Birch, and I do allow him what 
belongs to it, which, with the contribution which the congregation 
will make, will probably amount to £20 a year and upwards, if 
your lordship shall please to admit him into Holy Orders/ 1 Mr. 

1 The following extracts from the registers of the Collegiate Church relate to the 
family of Mr. Finch : — 

1665, Deo. 14, Bapt. Nathan, son of Mr. Henry Finch of Manchester, olerk. 
1667, July 24, Bapt. Hannah, daughter of Mr. Henry Finoh of Manchester, clerk. 
1669-70, March 14, Bapt. Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Henry Finch of Manchester, 

clerk. 
1671-2, Jan. 3, Bapt. James, son of Mr. Henry Finch of Manchester, clerk. 
1680, May 1, Bur. Nicholas, son of Mr. Henry Finch, cleric. 
1704, No?. 16, Bur. Mr. Henry Finoh of Salford. 



152 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

Taylor was a native of Gorton, being baptized there December 26, 
1675. The duration of his residence at Birch is uncertain, but it is 
conjectured that he vacated some time before 1707, since in that 
year Warden Wroe writes thus : u Chorleton and Stretford have no 
settled curates, for want of endowment ; Birch is in the same condi- 
tion, having only £3 10s. belonging to it." In 1717 the Rev. 
Joseph Dale was discharging the duties of curate, but with no 
prospect of permanency. He held the Chapel of Ghorlton also in 
conjunction with that of Birch. On the 11th of July 1720, the 
Rev. Thomas Wright B.A. was nominated by William Birch Esq. 
" to my chapel at Birch." He received a nomination to Ghorlton 
Chapel the same day from the Warden and Fellows of Manchester. 
Mr. Wright was educated at the Manchester Grammar School, and 
afterwards at Brazenose College, Oxford. He was appointed to a 
Hulmian Exhibition March 12, 1714. He resigned both chapels 
January 10, 1721-2, after a short incumbency of eighteen months. 
On the resignation of Mr. Wright, the Rev. John Tetlow B.A. was 
nominated as his successor by William Birch of Birch Esq. The 
patron in this and the preceding nomination was the younger brother 
of George Birch Esq., who died in 1704. Mr. Tetlow married 
Elizabeth Birch, a sister of the patron, and daughter of Thomas 
Birch Esq. and his wife Beatrix Cotton. He continued^ in the 
enjoyment of the living until his death in 1742. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. John Leech B.A. of Katharine Hall, Cambridge, whose 
nomination is dated June 22, 1742, and is signed by Humphrey 
Wyrley of Hampstead in the county of Stafford Esq., "the true and 
undoubted patron of the Chappel of Birch." Mr. Leech was a native 
of Audenshaw in the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne, and was ordained 
to the incumbency. His stay was but short, and the vacancy caused 
by his resignation was filled by the Rev. Robert Twyford B.A. of 
Brazenose College, Oxford, curate of Didsbury, who continued to 
hold the two chapels until his death in 1746; he was buried at 
Didsbury. Mr. Twyford was succeeded at Birch by his son, the 
Rev. William Twyford B.A. of St. John^s College, Cambridge, 
whose nomination bears date March 17, 1746, and is signed by 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 153 

John Dickenson Esq. as patron. He received also a nomination to 
Didsbury Chapel in succession to his father on the 15th of May 
following, under the hand of Sir John Bland Bart. Finding himself 
unable to supply both chapels he tendered his resignation of Birch 
to the Bishop of Chester April 27, 1752, and two days after we have 
recorded the nomination of the Rev. Thomas Aynscough M.A. of 
St. John's College, Cambridge; patron John Dickenson of Man- 
chester Gent. Mr. Aynscough was a son of the Rev. Radley 
Aynscough, formerly Fellow of the Collegiate Church, Manchester, 
and was ordained to the incumbency of Birch. He was himself 
elected a Fellow of the Collegiate Church November 12, 1761, and 
resigned Birch Chapel the following year. He died senior Fellow 
November 8, 1793, and was buried within the Collegiate Church. 
On the 16th of March 1762, the Rev. Miles Lonsdale M.A., Fellow 
of Brazenose College, Oxford, was nominated to the chapel by Mr. 
John Dickenson on the resignation of the Rev. Thomas Aynscough. 
Mr. Lonsdale was educated at the Manchester Grammar School, 
and was an exhibitioner at Brazenose College on the Hulme founda- 
tion. He held the chapel for about seven years, and resigning 
October 16, 1769, was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Ainsworth. 
Mr. Ainsworth was, it is presumed, a native of Gorton, being 
baptised there September 24, 1737. For three years previous to 
his appointment to Birch he was curate of Rostherne in Cheshire. 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Philip Rothwell of Long- 
sight, and dying May 16, 1795, was buried at Birch. On the death 
of Mr. Ainsworth the Rev. Rowland Blayney B.A. was nominated 
by Mr. John Dickenson to " the augmented curacy of Birch.' 1 Mr. 
Blayney was the son of the Rev. — Blayney, Curate of Whitchurch, 
Shropshire, and Master of the Grammar School there. The term of 
his incumbency was protracted ; he died May 30, 1838, having held 
the chapel forty-three years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Francis 
Philips Hulme B.A., whose nomination, signed by John Dickenson 
Esq., is dated October 13, 1838. Mr. Hulme died within a few 
months of his appointment, June 1, 1839, and was buried at Birch. 
On the 14th of June 1839, the Rev. George Gardner Harter M.A. 

x 



154 A HISTORY OF THE 

was nominated to the vacant chapel by John Dickenson Esq., to 
hold the same in commendam, under promise of resignation in favour 
of either of the patron's grandsons, George Henry Greville Anson or 
Archibald Edward Harbord Anson. Mr. Harter resigned February 
26, 1840. On Mr. Harter's resignation the Rev. Oliver Ormerod 
M.A. was nominated by Mr. Dickenson on like condition of resig- 
nation. He resigned in 1841, and was succeeded by the Rev. 
George Dugard M.A. of St. John's College, Cambridge, whose 
nomination, subject to the conditions binding on his predecessors, 
was dated March 29, 1841, and signed by Mr. Dickenson. Mr. 
Dugard was ordained in 1 828 to the Curacy of St. Ann's, Manches- 
ter. In 1830 he became Curate of Prestwich. In 1831 he was 
appointed to the Incumbency of St. Andrew's, Manchester, which 
he resigned in 1841, being also from 1834 to 1837 Librarian at the 
Chetham Hospital. In 1846, in accordance with the terms of his 
nomination, he vacated Birch Chapel, which he had held for about 
five years. In 1847 he was nominated to the Incumbency of 
Barnard Castle, and in 1849 to the Mastership of St. John's Hos- 
pital, Barnard Castle. In 1850 he became Honorary Canon of 
Durham on the nomination of the Bishop. 

On the 27th of June 1846, the Rev. George Henry Greville 
Anson M.A. was nominated to the chapel, on the resignation of 
Mr. Dugard, by his brother, John William Hamilton Anson of 
Devonshire Place in the county of Middlesex Esq. Mr. Anson had 
previously held the Curacy of the parish church of Leeds. He is 
the present Incumbent of the chapel. 

The following is a list of the Curates of Birch Chapel as far as their 
names can now be traced : — 

1598 No Curate. 

1622 Richard Lingard. 

1623 Thomas Norman. 
1635.1636 — Bentley. 
1641 — Hall. 
1646.1650 John Wigan. 
1659. 1662 Robert Birch. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 155 

1672-1697 Henry Finch. 
1699- Samuel Taylor. 

1707 No Curate. 

1717 Joseph Dale. 

1720-1721 Thomas Wright. 
1721-1742 John TeUow. 
174^- John Leech. 

-1746 Robert Twyford. 
1746-1752 William Twyford. 
3752-1762 Thomas Aynscough. 
1762-1769 Miles Lonsdale. 
1769-1795 Henry Ainsworth. 
1795-1838 Rowland Blayney. 
1838-1839 Francis Philips Hulme. 
1839-1840 George Gardner Harter. 
1840-1841 Oliver Ormerod. 
1841-1846 George Dugard. 
1846- George Henry Greville Anson. 

Birch Chapel (the earlier structure) was erected, as already 
intimated, in the reign of Elizabeth. It was of brick, covered with 
grey slates, and consisted of a nave, the roof of which at its eastern 
extremity bore a plain cross, and at the west a small octagonal turret 
or bell-cot; there was no chancel. A small cottage-like erection, 
with a separate entrance on the south, was known as the Dickenson 
Chapel. The entrance to the main structure itself was in the 
western gable. Internally it was filled with oaken pews, supplying 
accommodation for about three hundred and fifty persons, none of 
the sittings being free. The pulpit, also of oak, was situated in the 
centre of the nave near to the east end. On the 4th of May 1753, 
a faculty was granted to John Dickenson of Manchester, merchant, 
owner and proprietor of divers messuages or tenements and lands in 
the township and chapelry, empowering him at his own cost to raise 
the roof of the chapel seven feet, and to enlarge the chapel by taking 
down the wall at the east end and rebuilding it twelve feet beyond, 



156 A HISTORY OF THE 

extending at the same time the north and south walls. In 1803, 
the chapel being out of repair, substantial alterations were effected 
by the curate, the Rev. Rowland Blayney, at a cost of about £200 ; 
and in 1811 it was further decorated and an organ added, towards 
the expense of which Mr. Dickenson the patron contributed J(?20. 
The rapid increase which has taken place in the population of 
Rusholme since the beginning of the present century having ren- 
dered increased church accommodation necessary, in 1845. the 
foundation-stone of a new church, designed to supersede the older 
structure, was laid. 

The present church is situated about twenty yards to the east of 
the site of the old chapel. It is an exceedingly beautiful specimen 
of ecclesiastical architecture, built from designs furnished by Mr. 
James Macduff Derick'of Oxford. The style adopted is that known 
as lancet or early English, which prevailed during the earlier part 
of the thirteenth century ; and in the various details and internal 
fittings this style has been carefully adhered to. The church is built 
entirely of stone, in random courses, and is remarkable for simplicity, 
exhibiting externally an almost entire absence of ornament, at the 
game time showing the elegant effect that may be obtained by a 
proper attention to proportion in the arrangement and distribution of 
the several parts. The plan comprises a nave, chancel and side 
aisles, with a square tower, surmounted by an octagonal spire 
flanking the western end of the south aisle. The tower is of three 
heights or stories, separated by string-courses, and supported by two- 
stage buttresses with plain set-offs, placed rectangular-wise; the 
basement story of the tower forms a porch, the entrance being by 
an elegant arched doorway on the south side ; the belfry windows 
are of two lights, trefoiled, the space between the heads pierced with 
a quatrefoil, and surmounted by a moulded dripstone ; above these 
a plain corbel-table gives support to the cornice. An octagonal 
broach spire rises from the outer face of the tower, without any 
intervening parapet; the four sides which face the cardinal points 
slope down to the eaves, each diagonal face of the spire being con- 
nected at the base with an angle of the tower by a semi-pyramidal 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BlJRCH. 157 

projection, rising from the angle, and terminating in the oblique face of 
the spire. There are three tiers of spire lights with acute pedimental 
heads, placed alternately on the four cardinal and four oblique sides. 
The height from the basement to the apex of the spire is 128 feet. 
The nave is divided into six bays by buttresses of two stages with 
moulded set-offs, carried up to and terminating in the corbel-table, 
the area of the tower circumscribing the length of the south side to 
the extent of one bay. The windows, set upon a string-course, are 
of two lights, lancet-headed, and surrounded by dripstones with 
plain corbels. The clerestory windows are of three lights each, 
with lancet heads, alternating with flat pilaster-like buttresses. The 
length of the nave is 80 feet, the width 48 feet, and the height from 
the ground floor to the ridge 50 feet, the elevation of the clerestory 
being about 12 or 13 feet. The chancel, 33 feet by 16 feet, is 
lighted on either side by three single light windows, with moulded 
weatherings, separated by buttresses of two stages, and at the eastern 
end by a triplet, above which is a large wheel window divided into 
twelve compartments. Surmounting the apex of each gable of the 
nave and chancel is a floriated cross. 

The interior of this beautiful church is very effective in appear- 
ance, the whole of the details being in keeping with the exterior, 
evincing great accuracy of taste and a nice appreciation of the cha- 
racteristics and peculiarities of the style. The nave is separated 
from the side aisles by five cylindrical shafts with richly carved 
capitals, supporting six pointed arches, surrounded by mouldings 
terminating in ornamental corbels, and above which rises the clere- 
story. The roof of the nave and chancel is of timber-work, plain 
and simple in construction, acutely pointed and open to the ridge 
without tie-beams, the walls being connected by curved bracing-ribs 
springing from wall-pieces resting upon corbel-heads, at an angle of 
60°, formed by the sides of equilateral triangles, and so disposed as 
to form equilateral arches. On the north side of the chancel is a 
chapel having an opening into the north aisle, built to contain the 
organ. The pulpit is of Caen stone, situated on the south side near 
the junction of the chancel with the nave, the reading-desk occupy- 



158 A HISTORY OF THE 

ing a corresponding position on the north side ; in addition to these, 
there is an ornamental lectern. The chancel is lighted by a large 
triplet with detached shafts, filled with exquisitely stained glass; 
the centre light containing representations of St. John the Baptist, 
the Saviour, surrounded by emblems of the four evangelists — the 
lion, the eagle, the angel and the ox, St. James (the patron saint of 
the church), and the Alpha and Omega at the top. The north side 
light represents the Nativity, St. Peter, and the Crucifixion, with 
the emblem of the Crucifixion — a pelican feeding her young. In 
the south side light are representations of the Baptism of our 
Saviour, St. Paul, and the Resurrection, surmounted by the phoenix 
the emblem of the Resurrection. The tympanum above is filled 
with a large wheel window, divided into twelve compartments, and 
decorated with various devices in coloured glass, the Agnus Dei 
being in the centre. The western end of the nave is lighted by a 
large stained glass window of two lights, surmounted by a quatre- 
foil, similar in design to one in Stone Church, Kent. The side 
windows of the nave and chancel are filled with glass of Mosaic 
pattern, burnt in. The seats are of pitch-pine, varnished, and 
entirely open. There are no galleries, with the exception of a small 
one over the western entrance, access to which is gained by a stair- 
case in the tower. An octagonal stone font is appropriately placed 
near the south entrance to the church. The floor of the nave and 
chancel is paved with beautiful encaustic tiles. 

It will be seen by the foregoing description that there are two 
principal entrances to the church — one through the western gable 
and the other on the south side of the tower ; in addition to these, 
there is a priest's entrance on the south side of the chancel. The 
church will afford accommodation for 750 persons, 400 of the sit- 
tings being free. The cost of its erection was about i?4,300, the 
principal contributors towards the object being John William 
Hamilton Anson Esq. the patron, and his brother, the Rev. 
G. H. G. Anson, incumbent of the church. The Manchester and 
Eccles Church Building Society subscribed JP500, and a liberal 
subscription was entered into by the inhabitants of the township. 



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ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 159 

It was consecrated July 1, 1846, the consecration sermon being 
preached by the Bishop of Chester from 2 Cor. x. 3-5. 

Adjacent to the church are large and commodious schools, built 
of brick of different colours, arranged in diaper-like patterns in the 
style prevalent during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth. 
Over the entrance is a label with the inscription, "Birch School. 
1841." 

The same year witnessed the erection of two other churches 
in Busholme. — Trinity Church situated on the Piatt estate, and 
erected at the sole expense of Thomas Carill Worsley of Piatt Hall Esq. 
at a cost of abont .£3,600, is wholly built of terra-cotta which gives 
it a novel and rather pleasing effect and consists of a nave 75 feet by 
20 feet, a chancel 24 feet by 20 feet, and two side aisles each 15 feet 
in width, the latter being separated from the nave on either side by 
five arches. There is no gallery ; the pews, or rather seats, are all 
open, and the building is calculated to accommodate 700 persons. 
The tower is placed at the south-west angle and thrown open to the 
church. Together with the spire, which is octagonal and 150 feet 
in height, it is a striking feature in the edifice. The architecture of 
the two entrance doors is rich and pleasing. The interior frame- 
work of the lofty roof is composed of oak and left exposed, thus 
adding greatly to the general effect. High over the elevated arch, 
separating the chancel from the nave, is placed the decalogue. The 
foliated capitals of the pillars from which the arches in the side 
aisles spring are very rich, as are also the corbels and string-course 
running along the interior of the nave. The floor, both of the nave 
and chancel, is laid with indented tiles, the chancel floor being 
elevated two steps above the body of the church. The church was 
consecrated June 26, 1846, by the Bishop of Chester, who preached 
on the occasion. 

The remaining church, dedicated to St. John, and situated locally 
in Busholme, is placed on the confines of that township at its point 
of junction with Gorton. It was designed specially for the inhabit- 
ants of the hamlet of Longsight, and its description will therefore 
fall more appropriately under the head of Gorton Chapel. The 
foundation-stone was laid March 28, 1845, by Miss Marshall of 



160 A HISTORY OF THE 

Ardwick House, one of the chief contributors to its erection, who 
subscribed £1,000 towards the endowment and i?300 towards the 
structure itself. The cost of the tower and spire was mainly de- 
frayed by Mrs. Marshall (mother of the foundress), who gave i?700 
with that object. The site was given by John William Hamilton 
Anson Esq. The church was consecrated June 26, 1846, (the day 
on which Trinity Church also received consecration), the sermon 
being preached by the Bishop of Chester from 1 Pet. iii. 18. 

The founder of the dissenting interest in Rusholme was the Rev. 
Henry Finch, a friend of the Rev. Henry Newcome, in whose auto- 
biography his name frequently occurs. Though avowedly dissenting 
from the Established Church he was appointed, as we have seen, to 
Birch Chapel by Colonel Thomas Birch the patron, and continued 
with more or less interruption to officiate there during the life of 
Colonel Birch and of his son and successor until, on the death of the 
latter in or about the year 1697, he was displaced by Mr. George 
Birch the next heir, who, having no sympathy with Mr. Finch in 
his Presbyterian opinions, took advantage of his open violation of 
the law in officiating as a dissenter in an episcopal chapel, and thus 
obtained his dismissal. On his retirement from Birch Chapel Mr. 
Finch began to preach in private houses. This was in October 
1697, at which time several houses in the township were licensed 
for the purpose, amongst others those of Mr. Ralph Worsley of Piatt 
and Mr. Oliver Edge of Birch Hall Fold. The form observed in 
these licenses is as follows : — Com Lane. These are to certifye that 
att a Generall Q r Sessions of the peace held att Manchester the 14th 
day of October anno Dili 1697, the Duelling House of Mr. Raph 
Worsley of Piatt within Rusholme is recorded for a meeting place 
ffor an assembly of Protestantes dissenting from the Church of 
England ffor y e exercise of theire religious worshipp in, according to 
an Act of Parliament intituled an Act for exempting their Ma tiM 
Protestant subjects dissenting from the said Church of England from 
the pennaltyes of certaine Lawes according to the letter and purport 
of the said- Act. — Given under my hand the day and yeare above 
written. Roger Ken yon, 

Clicus pacis ibm. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 161 

The amount of "wage" collected for Mr. Finch's maintenance 
whilst thus exercising his office was <£16 per annum, and the contri- 
butors to the fund numbered fifty individuals, including Mr. George 
Birch, whose name, however, does not occur as countenancing 
dissent in the efforts which were afterwards made to establish it in 
the township. On the 30th of May 1699, a meeting was convened 
of those inhabitants who were desirous of securing a continuance of 
Mr. Finch's ministrations, when the following resolutions were 
adopted : — 

1. Wee whose names are hereunto subscribed doe declare our 

earnest and hearty desire that there may be a Building 
erected for the Worshipp of God ffor the benefitt and conve- 
nience of that congregation w ch now attends upon the 
ministry of Mr. ffinche. 

2. Wee doe promise and declare that wee will duely attend the 

worshipp of God in such place when erected. 

3. ffurther wee doe promise to contribute to the maintenance of 

such Dissenting Minister or Ministers as shall be unani- 
mously elected to officiate in the said place. 
This document is signed by twenty-four individuals, including 
Mr. Raphe Worsley and Mr. Ebenezer Edge. 

The next step was to raise the requisite funds for giving effect to 
their wishes. A site, the south-east corner of a close called the 
Blake Flatt, in extent about twenty roods, was given by Mr. Raphe 
Worsley, who contributed in addition the sum of £10; Mr. Finch 
gave £20; and with the following smaller donations the pro- 
moters were soon enabled to begin the work : — 

£ s. d. 

Mr. Edge of Warrington 6 

Richard Whittaker 5 

Mr. Thomas Butterworth 1 10 

Mr. Alexander Boardman 1 10 

Mr. Birche, minister 10 

Adam Barlow 10 

ObadiahHulme 10 

T 



162 A HISTORY OF THE 

Mr. Charles Woraley 10 

Mrs. Okell 10 

Francis Wood 10 

Mr. Siddall 10 

Mad. Gill 10 

Mrs. Loyd 10 

The structure was of brick, and it is on record that 39,008 bricks 
were required to complete it. The chief items of disbursement 
were : — 

£ s. d. 

ffor Brickes 19 10 

ffor 56 Loads of Lime at 18 d per load 4 4 

Peter Ryland, Bricksetter 4 2 6 

Handle Thorneley &c. ffor Slate 4 15 6 

ffor Timber 10 

Jeremiah Kirsley for Slateinge and Mosse ... 2 13 8 
ffor Boardes for Doores and Weatheringe and 

for 50 yards of sparrs at 3 d per yard 2 8 2 

Three Loades of fflaggs and carriage 1 7 6 

ffor meate, drinke, ale, Pipes and Tobacoer att 

y e Rearinge, being y e sixth day of October.. 19 
ffor Glass six score and foure foote at 4£ d y* 

foot 2 6 6 

The Smith for Bandes for Doores w^ Barres 

and Bolts and window rods 1 12 10 

ffor Becordinge our Chappell 16 

ffor the Pulpitt Quishion 13 8 

John Odcroft's Bill for y 6 Pulpitt, Sounder, 

seates, wainscott &c. ,... K 18 711 

The total amount expended on the chapel was about £95. It 
was not completed until the close of the year 1700. At its inaugu- 
ration Mr. Grimshaw officiated, and received five shillings for his 
services. 

In 1 706 a formal conveyance of the chapel was made to certain 
trustees by Mr. Raphe Worsley. By Indentures of Lease and 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 163 

Release, dated respectively October 25 and 26, 1706, Raph Worsley 
conveys to Charles Worsley, his heir apparent, John Finch the 
elder, Ebenezer Edge, Richard Whittaker, John Siddall, Eleazer 
Birch, Francis Wood the elder, Robert Walker, Robert Bradshaw 
the elder, Obadiah Hulme and Thomas Shelmerdine, their heirs and 
assigns, the said edifice, chapel, oratory and meeting-place and the 
said parcel of land wherein the same now stands, to hold unto the said 
grantees their heirs and assigns for ever ; npon trust that the said 
grantor and grantees and their heirs shall permit the said edifice, 
chapel and oratory from time to time and at all times thereafter so 
long as the law of this realm will permit, connive at, tolerate, allow 
or indulge the same to be used as a meeting-place and assembly of a 
particular church or congregation of Protestants dissenting from the 
Church of England for the free exercise of their divine and religious 
worship therein, on such days and times by such minister and 
ministers as in the said indenture of release are mentioned, and shall 
be qualified according to the true intent and meaning of an act of 
parliament made in the first year of the reign of King William and 
Queen Mary, entitled " an act for exempting their majesties' Pro- 
testant subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the 
penalties of certain laws/ 9 or according to some other act of parlia- 
ment thereafter to be made in favour of such dissenting Protestants ; 
and that the said small parcel of land shall be used at all times for 
the convenience and better enjoyment of the said chapel ; and that 
no person shall be interred within the said chapel or parcel of ground 
without the consent of the major part of the said trustees in writing 
made under their hands (except the said trustees and their families) ; 
and that if the law of this realm will not permit the performance of 
the said trusts or such public and religious worship as aforesaid, that 
then the said trustees and their heirs shall and may convert and 
dispose of the said edifice and small parcel of ground to such pious 
and charitable uses as the said trustees or the major part of them 
shall think most fit ; and that for the better continuance of the said 
trust and supply of new trustees when nine or fewer of the said 



164 A HISTORY OF THE 

trustees shall be dead, then the survivors of them shall elect nine or 
more or fewer other able, sufficient, sober, honest and religious 
persons most likely to favour and promote the said uses and trusts to 
be trustees with them or him so surviving; and in like manner 
elections of trustees to be made from time to time for ever when 
there shall be but three or fewer trustees living ; and that after such 
election and elections the surviving trustees shall with all convenient 
speed by good conveyances convey and assure the said edifice and 
small parcel of ground to such persons and their heirs as shall be so 
elected, to the use as well of the person or persons so conveying and 
of their or his heirs as of the persons so newly elected and their heirs 
under and upon the trusts in the reciting indenture directed and 
none other. 

The trust-deed of the chapel requires " the minister or ministers 
or teachers of the said congregation to be a Protestant able minister 
or ministers of the gospel, who is of the Presbyterian judgment and 
practice as to church discipline and government, and not of any 
other persuasion, and to pray and preach God's word, administer the 
sacraments of the New Testament, and perform all offices and duties 
belonging to that sacred function there, so as every such minister or 
ministers shall be orthodox and sound in the faith of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and such as hold and profess the doctrinal articles of the 
Church of England, required to be subscribed by the pastor or 
teacher of such congregations, and as are qualified by an act/ 1 &c., 
[the Toleration Act.] 

The following platform or ground-plan, with the allotment of 
seats, dates from the time of the erection of the chapel : — 



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166 A HI8T0RY OF THE 

Piatt Chapel has received from time to time various donations 
and bequests towards the formation of an endowment-fund for the 
support of a resident minister. The following, though probably an 
incomplete list, includes most of the contributions towards that 
object : — 

1. Extract from the will of Raphe Worsley, dated June 11, 
1725 : — u I give and bequeath one hundred pounds sterling to my 
son Mr. Charles "Worsley and Mr. Peter Worsley my grandson, in 
trust that the lawful interest thereof shall be yearly paid and given 
to such orthodox, gospel, dissenting, preaching minister as shall be 
constantly resident at Piatt Chapel or meeting-place for public 
worship ; and if liberty in or at any time to come shall be restrained, 
it is then my will and mind that the interest and produce of the said 
one hundred pounds be given and bestowed for the benefit and relief 
of the most religious poor people, whether housekeepers or others, 
within Rusholme, Fallowfield and Birchall Houses, at the discretion 
of my executors and their successors for the time being." 

2. Abstract of the will of John Dickenson of Levenshulme, dated 
September 11, 1750: — Proved at Chester August 22, 1763. He 
gives and devises all his messuage and tenement, &c, in Levens- 
hulme to his brother-in-law Thomas Whitelegg and his heirs, on 
trust that the said Thomas Whitelegg shall within twelve months 
next after testator's decease pay unto the several persons hereinafter 
named the several sums of money hereinafter mentioned ; i.e. to his 
wife Alice, his brother Robert Dickenson, his sister Mary Dicken- 
son, his brother-in-law Thomas Fletcher and Elizabeth his wife, 
testator's cousins John Worthington and Robert Worthington, his 
brother Robert Oldham, James Thorp and Thomas Richardson, the 
sum of £20 each; unto his brother-in-law James Whitelegg £10; 
to John Pearson and Thomas Pearson (sons of his brother-in-law 
John Pearson), his cousins Thomas Worthington, Alice Oldham, 
(mother of the said Robert Oldham), his brothers-in-law Richard 
Vost and Thomas Vost, his cousins John Worthington, Daniel 
Hampson, William son of testator's brother-in-law Thomas Nichol-.. 
son, the Rev. Mr. John Whitaker and Richard Whitaker his son 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 167 

^5 each. To his executors (Thomas Whitelegg, Richard Whitaker 
and Robert Worthington) he gives the sum of £60 in trust that they 
" distribute and divide the same amongst such industrious and 
necessitous persons residing within the township of Levenshulme 
aforesaid not receiving public alms or relief, in such shares and 
proportions as they my said executors or the survivors of them shall 
in their discretion think meet. And unto Charles Worsley of Piatt 
Esq., Peter Worsley of the same Esq., John Siddall of Slade within 
Withington Gent., the said Richard Whittaker, Thomas Irlam of 
Withington Gent., and Thomas Fletcher of Levenshulme aforesaid 
Gent., Thomas Siddall of Burnage Gent., Thomas Fletcher of 
Withington aforesaid Gent., and George Hobson of Levenshulme 
aforesaid yeoman, the sum of £100 upon trust, and to the intent 
and purpose that the said Charles Worsley, &c, do and shall from 
time to time and at all times hereafter put the same sum of i?100 
out at interest, and the interest and produce thereof yearly pay and 
apply to and for the use and benefit and for the better support and 
maintenance of such Protestant minister of the gospel, dissenting 
from the Church of England, as for the time being shall preach or 
officiate at or in the ohapel or place of meeting of Protestant dis- 
senters for the public exercise of religious worship in Rusholme in 
the said county of Lancaster, commonly called or known by the 
name of Piatt Chapel. And for the better and more effectual 
management and continuance of the same trust I do hereby order 
and direct that when the same trustees shall (by death) be reduced 
to the number of three survivors, then such survivors or the survivors 
or survivor of them shall with all convenient speed after such reduc- 
tion elect and choose so many honest, sober and religious persons to 
be trustees concerning the same premises as will with the then 
surviving old trustees complete and make up the number of nine 
trustees, and such surviving trustees shall assign the securities that 
shall be had and taken for the said last-mentioned sum of i?100, so 
that the legal interest of and in the said securities shall and may be 
vested in such old and new trustees upon the trust aforesaid, and 
that the like method and course shall be had and practised from 






168 A HI8T0EY OF THE 

time to time and at all times hereafter when and as often as the 
trustees for the time being shall be reduced to the number of three." 

3. By her will (date unknown) Mrs. Margaret Johnson be- 
queathed the sum of £100 towards the endowment of the chapel, 
the interest to be applied yearly for that purpose. Her executor was 
Mr. John Carill Worsley. 

4. By her will (date unknown) Mrs. Fletcher of Levenshulme 
bequeathed the sum of J?20 with a like object. 

5. By his will (date unknown, but supposed to be about 1799) 
Robert Hyde of Burnage gives and bequeaths " unto the minister for 
the time being of the dissenting chapel at Piatt in the said parish 
of Manchester for ever, in case that chapel shall continue what is 
generally called a dissenting chapel, the sum of £5 yearly and every 
year to be paid to the minister for the time being by my executors 
on every the 25th day of December." 

In 1810 the trust-money of the chapel, amounting to the sum of 
£566 2s. 8d. was expended in the purchase of chief rents in Stock- 
port, which produce £35 7s. 8d. per annum. 

In 1 790-1 the chapel was taken down and rebuilt in its present 
form on the old site; it was re-opened for public worship May 11, 

1791. 

The first minister of Piatt Chapel was, as already stated, the 
Rev. Henry Finch. He did not long survive the erection of the 
chapel, dying in 1704 in the seventy-second year of his age. His 
successor was the Rev. Robert Hesketh, one of Frankland's pupils, 
whose academy at Rathmel in Yorkshire he entered in 1692. After 
completing his course of study he appeared as a candidate at the 
provincial meeting of Lancashire ministers at Bolton on the 14th of 
April 1696, and again in Manchester on the 4th of August in the 
same year. He began his ministry as pastor of a congregation of 
nonconformists at Carnforth near Lancaster, where he also married. 
On the death of the Rev. Henry Finch in 1 704 he removed to Piatt. 
During his residence here, which continued till 1712, he contracted 
a second marriage April 6, 1708, with Miss Hannah Sykes of 
Leeds. Little is known of his subsequent life. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 169 

The Rev. John Whitaker was next in succession to Mr. Hesketh. 
He was ordaiued at Knutsford August 3, 1714, and for his thesis 
advocated the affirmative of the question " An infantes fidelium sint 
baptizandi !" At the time of Mr. Whitakers settlement at Piatt 
Ghapel his congregation numbered two hundred and fifty persons. 
His ministrations there terminated with his death in 1752. The 
next minister was the Rev. Robert Andrews. He was a native of 
Bolton, and a member of an eminent nonconformist family which 
had been seated for nearly two centuries at Little Lever and 
Rivington. He received his theological education under Dr. Caleb 
Rotheram at Kendal, and having completed the usual course of 
study entered upon the duties of his profession at Piatt Ghapel. The 
precise period of Mr. Andrew's stay is uncertain, but it did not 
exceed three years. He afterwards presided over a Presbyterian 
congregation at Bridgenorth, where he remained until mental 
derangement compelled him to withdraw from the pulpit. He was 
a man of considerable scholarship and taste. In 1 757 he published 
a volume of poems entitled " Eidyllia,'' to which he prefixed a 
violent attack upon rhyme. Some time previously he had sent to 
the press u Animadversions on Dr. Brown's Essays on the Charac- 
teristics," and a Criticism on the Sermons of his friend the Rev. 
John Holland. His latest work was a " Translation of Virgil in blank 
verse/ 9 which is not destitute of merit, though it has the strange 
peculiarity of conveying the sense of his author line for line. This 
handsome volume in Baskerville's type now finds a place among the 
curiosities of literature. Mr. Andrews married Miss Hannah 
Hazlewood, and died about the year 1766. The pulpit of Piatt 
Ghapel was next filled by the Rev. John Houghton, a native of 
Liverpool, born in 1730, whose studies for the ministry were 
pursued partly at Northampton under Dr. Doddridge, and partly at 
the University of Glasgow. This was his first settlement. In 1755 
he married Mary Pendlebury, a connexion of the Worsleys of Piatt, 
the marriage-settlement being dated June 21st in that year; and in 
1758 he removed to Hyde in Cheshire, and subsequently to Nant- 

z 



170 A HISTORY OF THE 

wich, Elland and Wem. About the year 1788 he again removed to 
Norwich, where his son, the Rev. Pendlebury Houghton, was settled 
as one of the ministers of the Octagon Chapel, and where he opened 
a classical school. Here he died in April 1800, aged seventy. The 
next minister in succession was the Rev. Richard Meanley, one of 
Dr. Caleb Rotherara's pupils, who removed to Piatt from Nant- 
wich in the year 1758, and continued there till his death in 1794. 
The chapel was now supplied by students for the next three years. 
In 1797 the Rev. George Checkley, who had received his education 
at Daventry under Dr. Caleb Ashworth, and been settled in the 
ministry for upwards of thirty years at Hyde and Ormskirk, was 
invited to Piatt, and spent there the last ten years of his life. He 
died February 6, 1807, in the sixty-third year of his age, and was 
twice married, his second wife being a sister of the late Mr. Touchet 
of Manchester. Mr. Checkley had an estate at Ashley near 
Altringham, to which he had retired previously to his last settlement 
with the intention of passing there the remainder of his days, but 
the proximity and society of Mr. Worsley and a numerous circle of 
personal, literary and religious friends in Manchester drew him from 
his retirement, and probably rendered this last the happiest period of 
his life. For three years after the death of Mr. Checkley the chapel 
was temporarily supplied by the Rev. Joseph Lawton Siddall till 
the year 1810, when the present minister, the Rev. William White- 
legge, removed from Fullwood near Bristol, where he had resided a 
year or two, to take charge of the congregation at Piatt. 

The earliest return of the population of Rusholme is in the year 
1714, at which time it contained but 40 families, representing 
probably an aggregate of 200 persons. Of these families five were 
dissenters. In 1774 the nnmber of families had increased to 67, 
consisting of 351 individuals, and residing in 63 houses. Of its then 
inhabitants one hundred and fifty were under the age of 15 years; 
forty-three above 50 ; nine above 60 ; eight above 70 ; and three 
above 80. In 1801 the population had reached 726; in 1811 it 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 171 

amounted to 796; in 1821 to 913; in 1831 to 1,078; in 1841 to 
1,868; and in 1851 to 3,679, being an increase on the past ten 
years of 97 per cent. 

In 1655 the township contained 14 ratepayers, but no separate 
return is made of the amount of rate collected, it being included in 
the total of Withington. Amongst the names of the Busholme 
ratepayers at this period are Mr. Worsley, Mr. Worsley of Heild 
house, Lieutenant- Colonel Worsley and George Worsley. In 
Birchall houses, Thomas Birch Esq., Mr. Siddall of Slade, Captain 
Edge and Thomas Birch. In 1854 the ratepayers numbered 1,027, 
and the rate collected was i?981 lis. 7d. ; the gross, value of 
property in the township rated for the poor being i?32,287 0s. 3d. 

In 1692 the annual value of real property in Busholme, as 
assessed to the land-lax, was JP146 13s. 4d. In 1815 its value, as 
assessed to the county-rate, was £3,608; in 1829, £5,748; in 
1841, £15,281 ; and in 1853, £27,903. 

In 1854 there were in Busholme 69 county voters. The number 
of public-houses was two, and of beer-houses sixteen. The London 
and North Western Bailway passes through the township. There 
is no river or canal, neither is there a mill or manufactory of any 
kind. The Wesleyans, Independents, Baptists and Unitarians have 
each a place of worship. 

The superficial area of Busholme, as given by Messrs. Johnson in 
their survey, is 960 acres; the Ordnance Survey returned it at 
973a. 3r. 15p. ; Mr. Hickman's Computation in the Census Beturns 
of 1831 is 1,040 acres, which corresponds with the return of the 
Tithe Commissioners. In the year 1 844 the lands of the township 
were divided amongst one hundred and twenty owners, of whom the 
following are the principal : — 

A. R. P. 

Anson, Sir John William Hamilton Bart. (Birch 

Hall,&c.) 220 2 21 

Worsley, Thomas Carill Esq. (Piatt estate, &c.).. 153 1 22 

Egerton, Wilbraham Esq 99 3 6 

Bush ton, Edward, Executor of 53 38 



172 A HISTORY OF THE 

Holford, John Esq 60 S 19 

Denison, Joseph Esq 39 1 29 

Siddall, John Esq. (Slade Hall) 24 9 

Cobden, Richard Esq 21 2 39 

Assuming the area to be 1,040 acres it was divided as follows : — 
Arable land, 20 acres; meadow and pasture, 960 acres; site of 
buildings, 60 acres. Victoria Park lies towards the north of the 
township* It consists of about 200 acres of land, laid out in 
gardens, ornamental grounds, roads, &c, for villa residences. The 
Victoria Park Tontine was projected in 1836, with a capital of 
<£750,000, in 7,500 shares of £100 each. In 1850 sixty-five houses 
had been already erected in the park, the inmates numbering about 
390 persons. 

Busholme has no [charity exclusively its own ; it participates, 
however, in several endowments which extend their operations over 
the entire parish of Manchester. 

The hamlet of Longsight, though in part within Busholme, is 
situated chiefly within the township of Gorton. Its description and 
history will fall, therefore, more legitimately under the head of the 
latter township. 

A Roman road intersects the township, and according to 
Whitaker, "appears advancing towards Manchester from the 
south-east, traversing the whole breadth of the parish on the 
south, and still carrying a considerable ridge in several parts of it. 
It is particularly conspicuous at Birch, and is popularly repre- 
sented as a breast- work thrown up against the Danes, and deno- 
minated Nico (or Devil's) Ditch." 1 This description by Whitaker 
is not, however, quite correct, the historian having confounded the 
name of a neighbouring Saxon dyke or embankment with the old 
Roman road which is separate and distinct from it. 

Recent investigations 2 show the Roman road to be an ancient 

1 Whitaker's History of Manchester, toI. i. pp. 235-6, second edition. 
3 Communicated by Mr. John Higson, of Droylsden, author of the Gorton Sis* 
torical Recorder. 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. 173 

vicinal way. By the inhabitants of the locality it is designated as 
the "Pink Pank Lane/' and it is generally known as the old 
London Road. The old people state it was currently believed in 
their younger days that one branch went from Rochdale and 
another from Manchester (uniting in the hamlet of Kirkmanshulme 
in the township of Newton Heath) to Macclesfield, and from 
thence to London. After leaving Levenshulme, near the junction 
of that township, Reddish and Gorton, it crosses the Nico Ditch 
and enters the township of Gorton shortly afterwards, taking a 
turn and proceeding along a portion of the margin of the Gorton 
race-course (where it is laid to the field) ; directly after leaving 
the course at the south-west angle, it exists in something like its 
primitive state until it enters Kirkmanshulme, where it presently 
afterwards divides into two heads, one passing Enutsford Vale 
Printworks, and winding backwards up Ked Lane, re-enters the 
township of Gorton. It next diverges where the lane is crossed 
by the Hyde road, and after a few more turns crosses the Gorton 
or Corn Brook, and enters the township of Openshaw. This 
portion is known as " Th* Owd Green Lone." After passing over 
the old and new Ashton roads it proceeds through Philips' Park, 
and thence to Rochdale. Returning to Crow Croft, Kirkmans- 
hulme, the other branch passes on to the Stockport road, and for 
a short distance blends or identifies itself with that ancient Roman 
road, crossing the Rush-brook with it at Rushford, but shortly 
afterwards diverging to the left, where it is modernised for a con- 
siderable distance, but still retains the name of Birch Lane. Near 
Birch School (at the back of St. John's, Longsight), it takes a 
sudden turn, where doubtless Whitaker saw it; it proceeds 
through Birch Hall fold, and thence probably winds round to old 
Mancunium. 

Another striking feature in the geography of Rusholme town- 
ship, and which may be placed side by side with the preceding, 
the better to mark the distinction which Whitaker has failed to 
recognise, is the Nico or Nicker -Ditch, a rivulet or stream, and a 



174 A HI8TORY OF THE 

rampart of earth raised, according to tradition, by the Saxons as a 
defence against their invaders the Danes, who towards the close . 
of the ninth century seized upon Manchester, and ravaged the 
surrounding country. Its formation was apparently anterior to 
the general cultivation of the land through which it passes, if not 
to the colonization of the district ; else why is it that it acts as a 
boundary to so many townships ? Its source or commencement is 
found to be in the Audenshaw division of the parish of Ashton- 
under-Lyne, on the site of Ashton Moss ; it seems here to be a 
natural stream, and acts as a drain to a portion of that morass. 
Crossing the Ashton New Road a little to the south-east of 
Droylsden Church, and running under the canal it begins its 
functions at Ashiiett Lane by dividing Droylsden from Auden- 
shaw. Winding obliquely round the hamlet of Fairfield it re- 
nounces Droylsden and embraces Openshaw; passing under the 
Old Ashton Road near Se'nthorns Wells (Seven Thorns Wells, 
from a tradition that seven thorns anciently grew there) and 
crossing the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, it 
begins to form the Waterworks Reservoir. It now changes 
Openshaw for Gorton, after receiving a tributary brook from 
Dane Wood, Audenshaw. The united stream (Gore Brook) now 
forsakes the ancient embankment, and proceeds through Gorton, 
Kirkmanshulme, Rusholme, &c. (at Birch Church it again falls 
into the embankment line) ; at Longsight it is named the Rush, 
and gives name to a hamlet Rushford, at the place where the old 
Roman road and vicinal way conjointly passed over it, and also to 
the township of Rusholme. Returning once more to the line of 
division, it runs nearly in the centre of the higher reservoir, faith- 
fully embracing Gorton, from hence to the Midway, Stockport 
road. On the opposite side, near "Deb-dale Lane/ 1 the ditch 
may be traced leaving Audenshaw for Denton, crossing the Hyde 
road, the old Denton road, the Stockport Canal, &c, leaving 
Denton for Reddish, and shortly after (near Winning Hill) 
leaving Reddish for Levenshulme ; then crossing the vicinal way 



ANCIENT CHAPEL OF BIRCH. " 175 

(Pink Pank Lane) it proceeds straight forwards to the Midway, 
Stockport road, where Gorton gives place to Rusholme (it here 
forms the ring fence of the Slade Hall estate); it flows on in 
rather an oblique direction until it regains the Gore or Bush 
Brook near Birch Church, Rusholme (which brook is said to be 
the site of the embankment), until it arrives near Ouse Moss. It 
is a singular fact that the hedge is on the Gorton or Manchester 
side all along, which seems to imply that when the land was first 
divided into fields, the remains of the old breast- work were used 
as a cop or backing, the thorns being simply planted upon it. 



APPENDIX. 



A A 



APPENDIX. 



Guildhouses. — Family of Teaffoed. 

ftp. 2-6.^ 

1. — Sciant p'sentes et futuri q d ego Math" fii Mathi de HaVsege 
dedi &c. Bic 1 de Trafford viginti acras tf re p pticam viginti duo pedm 
ppinquiore de Tollache, incipiendo ad magna mussam et ascendendo 
Gosselache usq> ad divisas de Flat et sic a divisis de Plat i trans- 
verso versus Grenclow-lache ac com pasting in villa de Wyddine ; 
Tend et Hend de me &c. sibi et hedib3 sr ^ s exceptis viris reli- 
giosis et judeis. Redd inde annu m 1 et hedib} meis una calcaria 
ferri vt tres denarios argenti p omi seculari servicio ad Annune/ be 
Marie salva mihi et meis una via debita et usitata versus Mam- 
cestr. Hiis testib} Dno Ada de Biri, fire yvone canonico de Bello 
capic' [Brother Ivo, canon of Bello Campo, i.e. Beauchief Abbey 
in Derbyshire], Wifto de Didesbur\ Ric de Most*, Bob Redig* et 
aliis. — [8. d.] — Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSS. * 

Indorsed : " Fossa Rici trafford jux* Goselache " — Seal : Green 
wax imperf. bearing arms of Hathersage de haveesechb. 

2. — Sciant &c. Ego Nicholaus de Longeford dnus de Wy- 
thinton dedi &c. Henrico de Trafford militi quamdam placeam 
vasti mei in villa de Wythinton infra has divisas incipiendo ad 



180 APPENDIX. 

Goslache ad le Hontlon del Flat sequendo viam regale versus 
borial us% in Grenlowlache et sic descend Grenlow lache us% 
occidental us<^ in Kemlache et sic de Kemlache ex transverso 
versus australem p pnteos et fossata facta us% in Le Yhildhouse 
digth et sic ascendendo us<^ in Goslache et sic ascendendo Gos- 
lache us% in p'dcm Hontlone del Plat q d est p'ma divisa. Hend 
et Tend de me p'dco Henr* et hedib3 de corpe suo legit' pcreat. 
Redd 8eptemdecim solid argenti ad duos ann" term' viz. medietatf 
ad festu Annunci b Marie et aliam medietate ad festu sci Mich 1 
p oib3 serviciis secularib}. Et si contingat pdct Henr 1 obiere sine 
herede de corpe suo legit* pcreatf ; rem mihi et hedib3 mei. Hiis 
testib3 Dom Rico de Byronu milite, Mag r Ricardo de Trafford 
rectore ecclie de Chedle, Ricardo de Hulton, Johe de Asshton 
Johe de hulton, Rob? o de Asshton et aliis. Datu ap* Wythinton 
die Veneris in fest' sci Mathie apostoli A Edwardi filii Edwardi 
undecimo. 

Indorsed: "Yeeldhouse redd xvP 11 Edw. 2." Seal: White 
paste, bearing shield with arms of Longford. Legend : sigillvm 
nich de longford. — Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSS. 

8. — Oib} xpi fid &c. Symon de Gousil saltm &c. — Noverif 
me concess' remiss' &c. Henrico de Trafford &c. homag* et servic 
trium soliditar 1 quidam annu redd 1 et omnia alia exactio' et 
demand' in quib3 mihi tenebatur de quadam tenemeto q d de me 
tenuit in Withinton q d vocatur le Gyldehousys p concessions &o. 
q n m Roger* de Penilbury michi fecit p cartam suam q d quid™ 
homag* et servic p'fat 1 Henr 9 et an'cessores sui face solebant p'fato 
Rogero et antece8sorib3 suis p p'dco tenem' q d de me an'ces- 
sorib3 meis tenuit ; Redd' duob) solid' annuat'. Hiis testib) Dno 
Galfrido de Bracebrigge, Galfrido de Chadirton, Ric5 de Rade- 
clive, Thorn de Heton, Robfo de Shorsworth, Ricd de Moston et 
aliis. — [s. d.] — Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSS. 



APPENDIX. 181 

4. — Oib3 &c. Rog' de Penilbury saltm in dno semp\ Noverit* 
me concessisse assignasse remisisse &c. Henrico de Trafford ator- 
nato et assignato Symonis de Gousul militis homagiu et serviciu 
trium qpliditar' cujusdam annu redditus et omnimodas alias exac- 
coes et demandas quas ab eodem Henric* VI hedib) suis exig*e 
potfo de quadam tenemeto qne vocatur Gyldehousis in Wythinton 
qne quide tenemen' ego dcs Rog* de p'fato Symone capitali dno 
meo tenni in eadem villa. Hiis testib} Dno Galfrido de Braoe- 
brigg, Galfrd de Chadirton, Rico de Radeclive, Thoma de Heton, 
Robfo de Shorisworthe, Rico de Moston et aliis. — [s. d.] — Trqf- 
ford Evidences, Lane. MSS. 

5. — Sciant pontes et futuri q d ego Helias filius Robfi 
[? Rogi] de Penelburie dedi &c. Henrico filio Roberti filii Radulphi 
de Trafford pro homagio et servicio suo totam terram de Gilde- 
husestide cu p'tin inter has divisas scilicet de Goselache usq> ad 
pnllnm nbi Matheus filius Willelmi levavit fossatum ad verten- 
dam aqnam ad molendinum suum, et per pullum descendendo us<j 
ad fossatum quod ego feci, et ita per illud fossatum us<j ad mussam, 
et de mnssa usc^ ad Goselache — cum communione omnium liber- 
tatum quas liberi homines predicti Mathei domini mei habent sicut 
carta testatur quam habeo de predicto Matheo lie prefata terra. 
Reddendo inde annuatim mihi quatuor solidos pro omni servicio 
et consuetud 9 , et duos solidos prenominatf Math fil Willi et hed 
qui habebunt unam viam per Alsedum prefate terre p'scpti Henrici 
ad carianda fena sua. Hiis testib} Ricardo filio Henrici, Robfo de 
Burunn, Ricardo de Perepont, Wifto de Radeclive, Alexandro filio 
Gilberti de Harewode, Henrico filio Galfridi de Mamecestr, Petro 
de Burnhill, Alexandro de Pilkinton, Matheo de Redich, Hugone 
de Stretford, Ada de Ormeston, Robfo filio Hugonis de Mascy, 
Ricardo clico de Mamecestr. — Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSS. 



182 APPENDIX. 

6. — Sciant &c. q d ego Nichus de Longeforde dims de Wythinton 
concessi et reddidi Henr' de Trafford militi et hedib3 suis et oib 
eor* tenentib} in Wythinton die cocessionis huf indent nt jus 
' commune sue comuna turbarie in comun turbarie die Yhildhous 
mosse ad turbas fodendas sctand et capiend p voluntate eor* ad 
tenementa sua in Wythinton. Ita scilicet q d liceat pdico Henr* 
et hedib} suis ac oib} eor' tenentib} in Wythinton cartare turbas 
sine molest et absq> impedim. Hiis testib} Dno Bicardo Byron 
milite, mag Rico de Trafford rectore ecclie de Chedle, Bicardo de 
Hulton, Johe de Asshton, Johe de Hulton, BoMo de Asshton et 
aliis. Da? ap d Wythington die Ven'is in festo S d Mathie apostoli 
anno regni regis Edwardi filii regis Edwardi undecimo [1317.] — 
Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSB. — [Seal : White paste, " Sigillvm 
Nich. de Longford," with shield of arms.] 

7. — Sciant &c. Ego Math 9 Cissor* de Mamecestr' dedi &c. 
Nicho fii Henr' de Trafford militis oes terras meas et tenementa 
in Bysshum in vift de Wythinton sine aliquo retenemeto et tenend' 
defo Nicho et hedib} de corpe suo legit* pcreat cu oib} libtatib} in 
boscis planis s'viciis. Et si contingat q d p'dcus NichoP obiere sine 
hered' de corpore suo legit' pcreatf &c. ; rem Galfrido firi ejusdem 
Nichi, rem Thome fri ei, rem' Bobto fri ejusdem Thome, rem Bico 
fri Bobt', rem* Henrico fri ejusdem Bici. Hiis testib3 Henr* de 
Trafford milite Bico de Trafford fre ei m Matheo de Haydock, Bico 

de Moston, Johe fit Thome de Ashton, WiHo de B clico et 

aliis. Datu ap d Bysshum die Ascension 8 dni anno Edwardi fil 
regis Edwardi nono. — Trafford Evidences, Lane. MSS. 

Indorsed : " Carta de terr* in Bisholme." Seal : White paste. 
Legend : sigll math de c . . . . [rest imperfect.] 



APPENDIX. 183 

Family of Rusholme. 

fop. 5, 6 

1. — Sciant oms psntes & futi q d ego Hnr 1 de Russu dedi & 
9 cessi & hac psenti carta mea 9 firmavi Galf' fil Luc de Mamme- 
cestr' p homagio & servico suo q ndam pte t're mee infra divisas 
de Russu videlj unu mesuagiu ad capd pti mei in pte a^lon jux 
Huttelone & longitudine qndeci pcatas & latitudine c^tuor pcatas & 
unam ac*m t're cu? unu capd extendit se ad illam tfram & alid 
capd Vsus pomeriu meu & unam acm pti in pto de Russu & unam 
ac a m t're cup unu capd extend ad illu ptu & alid capd I lemenegate 
Vsus occidente & unam dimid ac a m t're cui 9 capd unu extendit se 
v*sus pdcam acm & alid capd i goselache & una selione q vocat' le 
qwikehaggedelonde cui 9 unu capd extend se i goselache & alid cap 
i lemenegate & unam dimid ac"m t're cui 9 unu extend se i le hutte- 
lone & alid cap i goselache & sex ac a s tfre q jacent jux tfra Hug de 
Asselu qr unu cap extendit se i goselache & alid cap i yet 1 foveu. 
Hend & Tenda de me & hedib3 meis s* & hedib3 suis libe quete & 
pacifice cu com! past r a & cu oib} libtatib3 & aysiamtis ville de. Russu 
ptinHb) Reddendo inde annuati m 1 & hedtf)3 meis de se & hedib3 
suis unu par albar' cyrothecar* ad natale dfii p omi servico exaccoe 
& demanda ego v° & hedes mei tota pdcam tra cu ptinenciis pdco 
Galfr* & hedib} suis 9 ta oms holes & femias warentizabim 9 im- 
ppetuu. Et ut fc mea donaco rata sit & stabil huic psnti scpto 
sigillu meu apposui, hiis testib3 DHq Will de Heeton, Rob. de 
Redich, Rob. de Aston, Symon fil Luc, Jord fil eid & Ad fre suo, 
Henr* fil Huhelet & aliis. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir John Wil- 
liam Hamilton Anson, Bart. 

The seal, which is pendant and oval in shape, is of green wax 
and in remarkably good preservation, bears in the centre a device,, 
a lozenge divided into four parts by two cross-crosslets which in- 
tersect each other. The legend : sioil henri de rusum. 



184 APPENDIX. 

2. — Sci omib} psens sept vising vel audit* q d ego Hricus de 
Russchu mera & spontanea volutate mea remisi & qet clamavi p 
me ft hredib) meis dno meo dno Matheo de Hatirseg' ft hredib3 
suis homagiu ft servissciu Galfridi filii Lnc de Mamecesf a & hredii 
suo£ ft totius terre q m idem Galfridus tenuit in villa Ruschu scil 
unu par cirothecar^ albar^ annuati ad pentecosten. Jta soil q d nd 
liceat m 1 n c hredii^ meis vel alicui noTe meo vel hredu meoj aliq d 
ins vel clamiu in homagio & servisscio dH Galfridi filii Luc vel 
hredii suoj vel terre q m id G. de me tenuit in villa de Ruschum in 
possum vendicare vel optinere. Et in hu? rei testimoniu huic 
psenti scpto sigillum meu apposui, hiis testib} Dno GaMr* de Chet- 
ham, Robfo de Biru, Witto le Noreis, Ric de T a fford, Symone fil 
Luc de Mameeestr', Johe de Leya clerico & aliis. — Birch Evidences, 
penes Sir John William Hamilton Anson, Bart. 

3. — Sciant omes psentes ft futi q d ego Hnr' de Russu penif 
^eteclamavi Galf. filio Luc de Mamecestr* ft hedib} suis vl assig- 
natis suis totu ius q d heo vl hre poto in viginti acris tre (f s tenet 
de Rob' de Hulton i villa de Russu. Ita ^dem q d nee ego n c ali^i 
hedum meo* aliq d ius vl clameum 1 p'dcis viginti acris t're cu 
ptinenciis de ceto exig*e pofim 8 imppetuu. Et q'a volo q d h mea 
q'eteclamacio rata ft stabilis p manet huic psnti scpto sigillu meu 
apposui, hiis testib} GalT de Ghetha, Rob. de Buru, Will de 
Heeton, Rob. de Redich, Ric. de Moston, Symon fil Luc, Ric. fil 
Rani, Ad. de Parneworke, Henr* fil Huheloth ft aliis. — Birch 
Evidences, penes Sir John William Hamilton Anson, Bart. 

Seal pendant : A fleur-de-lis. Legend : henricub russum. 

4. — Sciant omS tarn psentes <fm futi q d ego Henric* de Russum 
dedi 9 cessi ft hac psenti carta mea 9 firmavi Hugoni de Haselum ft 
heredib} suis vel suis assignatis p homagio ft servicio totam tfram 
mea que est intf altam stratam de Russeford & tfram d'ei Hugois 



APPENDIX. 185 

& dimidia bovata tfre in villa de Bussum ele Holt cu oib3 ptinen- 
ciis Tenendas & Habendas sine ullo retenemto de me & hedib} 
meis sibi & hedib3 suis vel suis assignatis in feodo & heditate libe 
& ^ete pacifice & integre cu oib} libtatib} cdmunis & aisiamtis 
infra villa de Russu & ext* pdce terre ptineftb}, Reddedo inde 
annuatim vp & hedib} meis de se & hedib} suis vel suis assignatis 
vj den' ad duos terminos statuto 8 scil ad nativitate Sci Johis Bapt. 
iij den' & ad festu Sci Michael iij denar* p oib} serviciis reb} & 
demandis. Et ego Hemic* & hedes mei p'noiatas t'ras & ele Holt 
cu ptinentiis p'noiato Hugoi & hedib} suis vel suis assignatis 9 tra 
5s hoies & femias imppetuu warantizabim 8 . Ut igit r fc donatio 
9 cessio & 9 firmacio robur ppetue firmitatis obtuleat psenti carta 
sigilli mei imp'ssione corroboram, hiis testib} Diio G. de Cheta, 
Robiio de Hulton, Ric. de Tford, Jordan de Rabi, Galfrido fit 
Luce, Rob. fii Leysig, Symoe fil Luc, Rogo fit Rand', Ric. fire ei 
Randulpho clico & aliis. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir John Wil- 
liam Hamilton Anson, Bart. 



Family of Manchester. 
(pp. 6, l.j 

1. — Sciant psentes & futuri q d ego Witts fil Henr* fil Houlot de 
Mamecestr dedi concessi & hac psenti carta mea confirmavi 
Jordano fil Witti de ffawfeld & heredib} suis cfmdam ptem t're raee 
in villa de Bussum, videlicet tres acras terre cu ptinentiis jacentes 
intf ter' Henr* de Trafford ex ut ^ pte que se extendunt in longi- 
tudine de t'ra Matild del Holt usq > in altam viam Vsus Stokeport, 
Habend & Tenend eidem Jordano & hedibus suis de diio capitali 
feodi libe quiete biie & in pace cu omib3 liblatib} & aysiamentis 
pdicE t're ptinentibus. Reddendo inde annuatim dco diio capitali 
tres denar* argent ad duos anni tfminos videlic. ad natat dni unu 
denar* & obolu & ad festum Sancti Johis Baptfe unu denar* et obolu 

B B 



186 APPENDIX. 

de quatuor denar' in quibus pdcus Wilts tenetur annuatim solnt 
pdco dno capitali. Et ego v° pdcs Witts & heredes mei pdcam 
t'ram cu ptinent suis sicut pdcm est pdco Jordano & heredib} suis 
cont*omes gentes imppetuu warantizabim 9 et defendem 9 . In cui 9 
rei testimoniu huic scpto sigillu meu apposui, hiis testibas Alexo 
del Byrches, Galfrid de Strongwas, Witto de Honeford, Thorn de 
Chorlton, Stepho de Redich & aliis. Dat ap d Mamecestr die 
dnica px post festm Sci Mrtin anno regni reg Edwardi vicesimo 
nono. — Birch Evidences, penes # Sir John William Hamilton 
Anson, Bart. 

2. — Sciant psentes & ffiiti q d ego Johes de Annacotes ffil RobH 
de Mammecesstr dedi concessi & hac psenti carta mea confirmavi 
Jordano fil Witti de ffalwefeld & hered' suis q mdam ptem terre 
mee in t'ritorio de Bussum scilicet totam pte meam de ana cultura 
que vocat' Grenclowe field jacet int' t'ram Henrici de Trafford ex 
una pte & t'ram Witti fil Henrici de Mamecestr ex alta cu? unu 
capnd extendit se usq > ad regiam viam que se ad Ynce (?) ducit & 
aliud capnd extendit se usq> ad unam cult' am que vocatf le Somer 
Werkeddeffeld ; et una dimid' acr' p r ti jacente in le Brodemedwe 
int 1 t'ram Henrici de Trafford ex ut a qj pte et unu capnd se extendit 
nsq > ad ripam que est subtus le Birchenewode & aliud capnd ex- 
tendit se usq > ad Clayffeld. Hnd & tenenct pro me & hered meis 
de capitali diio dci tenemt sibi & hered' suis & assign' suis libe 
quete bene et in pace jure hereditar' integre & honorifice cu libero 
introitu & exitu & cu omib} aliis aysiamtis & libfotib} dee f re 
ubiq > spctantib}; pro hac aute donacoe dedit m 1 des Jordan 9 
q^dam sumam pecunie p manib3. Et ego des Robts & hered mei 
& assign mei totam pdcam t'ram & ptm cu suis ptinenc* ut pdcm 
est dco Jordano & hered & assign suis cont* omes holes & femi- 
nas p pdea suma pecne imppetuu warantizabim 9 aquietabim? et 
deffendem 9 . Et ut hec mea donaco & psentis carte mee confer- 



APPENDIX. 187 

macd rata & stabil pmaneat sigilli mea earn imp'ssione roboravi, 
hiis testib3 Rogo de Barlowe, Rico de Redich, Alex de Birches, 
Oalfrido de Strongwas, Witto de Honford, Rogo de Denton, Thorn 
de Cholrton & multis aliis. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir John 
William Hamilton Anson, Bart. 

Seal: A lion rampant. Legend: s' iohi de ibebnie. 

Families of Mosedon, Honford and Bexwick. 

ftp- 7, 8 J 

1. — Sciant psentes & ffuturi quod ego Henricus Mosedon 
dedi concessi & hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Matheo de 
Byrches & heredibus suis totam ptem meam totius aque de Gore- 
broc 8ili3 de Halegateforde usq> Russeforde cum attachiacone 
stagni sui nbic^ usq, ad t'ram meam ubicumc^ ei commodius fifit 
infra pdcas divisas salva destruccone prati mei infra dcas divisas. 
Habend & Tenend de me & heredib3 meis sibi & heredibus suis 
libere quiete integre & in pace cu omib5 libfatib} & omnimodis 
aysiamentis pdce aque, spectantib} sine aliquo retenemento mei vel 
heredum meor 9 , Reddendo inde annuatim m 1 & heredib} meis de se 
& heredity suis una sagittam barbatam ferri die nativitatis Beati 
Johis Bapt. p omnib} s'viciis s'claribu} exaccoib3 & demandis 
predce aque cum stagno infra pdcas divisas ptinentib3. Et ego 
v° pdcus Henricus & heredes mei totam ptem meam totius aque 
predce cum attachiacdne eiusdem ubiq > infra pdcas divisas pdto 
Matho & heredib} suis cont a omes holes & feminas imppetuu 
warantizabimus & defendemus. In cuius rei testimonium huic 
psenti scpto sigillu meum apposui, hiis testib3 Rogo de Midilton, 
Alei de Pilkinton, Rico de Workedeley, Rico de Moston, Johe 
de Ayneswerthe, Tho. fil Galfr. fil Luc de Mamecest', Tho. Bexwic, 
Henr. de Byrches clico & aliis. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir John 
William Hamilton Anson, Bart. 



188 APPENDIX. 

2. — Ego Agnes ui Henr. de Honford dedi Bio5 f. meo ter' in 
Ruschun &c. q Matilda de Holt ten in noie dotis &c. ; rem. Galfr. 
fn ejusd Rici; rem. pdce Agneti &c. Test. "Rico de Hnlton, W° 
de Radeclive, Rogo de Midleton, Rico de Redish, Jo de Hnlton 
&e. — Harl MSS. 2112, fo. 143. 

3. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Rogerus Bexwik dedi 
concessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Miloni Bexwik filio 
meo omia ilia terras & tenta reddif rev'coes et s'vicia cam suis 
ptinen jacent' in Grenelawe et Risshum in com Lancastr que nup 
pqnesiyi de Wiiio Heyld. Habend & tenend pdictf terras & tenta 
reddif rev'coes et sMcia cum omib} et singlis suis ptin pfatf Miloni 
Bexwik hered' et assignat' suis imppetuu de capif dnis feod' illius 
p s'vicia inde debit' et de jure consuet\ Et ego v° pfat Rogerus 
Bexwik et hered' mei omia pdictf terras et tenta reddif rev'coes & 
s'vicia cum omib} et singlis suis ptin pfat Miloni Bexwik filio meo 
hered' et assignaf suis contra omes gentes warrantizabim 9 et im- 
ppetuu defendem? p psentes. Ac insup sciant me pfat Rogerum 
Bexwik attornasse deputasse et in loco meo posuisse dilecf michi 
in Xpo Johem Bamford gen'osum et Jacobum Shalcros meos veros 
& legittimos attornat' conjunctim & divisim ad intrand omia pdicf 
terras & tenta cu ptin et post talem ingressum inde p me et noie 
meo plenam et pacificam possessionem et seisinam pfat Miloni 
Bexwik ad deliband scdm vim formam et effectum hud 9 prsentis 
carte mee inde ei confect' raf & graf hent et hitur* totum et quic- 
quid dicf attornat' mei noie meo fecrnt seu eor* alter fecit in 
pmissis. In cuiP rei testimoniu huic psenti carte mee sigillum 
meum apposui. Dat vicesimo octavo die Junii anno regni regis 
Henrici octavi post conquestum Anglie vicesimo secundo. — Birch 
Evidences, penes Sir John William Hamilton Anson, Bart. 



APPENDIX. 189 

Family op Platt. 

(pp. 12-24J 
Platt Evidences penes Charles Car ill Worsley Esq. 

1. — Notii sit omib} tarn p'sentib} <f m futuris q d ego Matheus 
filius Witti dedi et concessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi 
fram de Plat hospitali de Jerhn in puram et ppetua elemosiriam 
cu pastara que ad Wytintonam p'tinet. Ego et her' mei p'dcam 
tfram p'dco hospitali oont a hoies univ'sos warantizabo, scilicet de 
magna fossa usq > ad finem inferiorem pne fosse usc^ crux incidit r 
in arbore et de pna fossa usq ) in goselache et p goselache usq > ad 
semita eite (?) que iacet int' Plat et Busshum et p semita eite (?) 
usqj in gorebroc et p gorebroc usq> ad maram Willi de Honford et 
sic usq ) in magnam fossam. Test' Jordano de Diddesb, Hamel fil 
Onti et filii Bog. de Barlowe et Bic. Breton et Bob Diacon' et 
Hug. de Plat et Bic. et tota curia de Wydenton. 

2. — Notu sit omib3 tarn p'sentib) futuris q d ego Garii de Neopol 
prior frm hospital Jerlomit' in Anglia de coi assensu et voluntate 
frm capitli nro concessi et hac p'senti carta confirmavi Bico de la 
More et her 9 suis t'ram de Bikerstath qua hem 9 ex dono Ade fil 
Bad! et t'ram de Perr quam hem 9 ex dono WiHi Dolfini et t'ram 
de Grewinton halfsnede et duas bovatas t're de Banchorior et 
passagiu de Banchior et t'ram de Halctoii et t'ram de Plette qua 
hem 9 ex dono Mathei filii Willi et t'ram de Acton quam hem 9 ex 
donacone Gilberti filii Bad! et omes t'ras quas hem 9 de adquesitu 
ipius et quas ipe vel her' eius pot'unt pquirer* domui nre usq> ad 
Valencia dim marc' Tenendas et hcndas de domo nra jui^ heredi- 
tario liber' quiete et honorifice. Beddendo in singlis annis domui 
nre in thalamo nro apud London quatuor solidos esterlingor' ad 
capitlm nrm p° festu Sc! Michis p om!b3 s'viciis et placitis et 
exaccoib3 ad nos inde p'tinentib}. Ita q d fres nri dc Stanelee 



190 APPENDIX. 

nullam sup ipm vel heredes suos heant potestate causandi eos vel 
auferendi pecuniam eor* nee alicui respondeant nisi nobis vel locu 
nrm tenentib3 apud London. Prefatus v° Ricus et her' sui mannte- 
nebunt et regent una navem sup aqua de Merse apud Ranchorier 
in caritate quam Jobes constabilar' Cestrie dederat an Rico et her 1 
suis ad istam elemosinam tenendam, ut omes qui Dei amore 
fnsitu p'fate aque petierint passagiu heant. In obitu v° suo et 
heredu suor 9 similif t'cia ps omiu catallor' suor' p salute ale sue 
domui nre remanebit. Hiis testib3 fratre Alano, fre Wiftmo 
capellano, fre Gilberto de Ver, fre Robto fit Bici, fre Gilberto de 
Wilton, fre Henr. de Dalby, fre Nicho de Cardinel, fre Wilhno 
de yp*, fre Gilberto, fre Ysaac, fre Samsone, Walto clico. Anno 
Incarnacois MilKo centesimo nonagesimo. 1 

8. — Sciant p'sentes et futuri q d ego Wilius fil Rici de More 
dedi concessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi Henr. fil Gilbti 
cum Cesilia fil mea et her' suis ab eacfm pcreatis in libm maritagiu 
totam medietate t're mee de Plette et messuagia sua et una acram 
fre ad dictam messuagiam spectante sine ullo r'tenemeto cu omib} 
p'tin, Habend sibi et her' suis pcreatis de me et her* meis libe 
quiete integr' et honorifice in bosco in piano in pcis in pasturis 
cu omib3 lib , tatib3 et asiamentis ad p'fata t'ram p'tinentib}. Ita 
q d p'dcus Henr. et Cesilia et her' pcreati sui tenebunt p'dcam t'ra 
de me et her* meis tarn libe qua ego illam teneo de frlb} hospitalis 
Jerim p't sex denar' quos p'dcus Henr* et her' sui reddunt annua- 
tim michi et her' meis ad festu Sci Bartholomew p omib3 s'vic's et 
consuetudine et exaccone. Ego siquidem WiHmus et her* mei 
warantizabim 9 p'dcam t'ram sicut illam quam dedi in libm mari- 

1 This and the preceding deed are on the same parchment, which is headed " Copia 
carte original'." The first deed is endorsed " Hec carta p'dca apud Yereley jux' 
Longeford in com' Derb'," and the latter " et heo carta p'x p'dca in manu Bob'ti Talio*" 
de p'ochia de Wrenbnry jnx* Abbathiam de Cumbremer' in com' Cestrie." 



APPENDIX. 191 

tagiu cum Henr. et Cesilia fii mea et her" suis pcreatis cont» oes 
hoies et feias warantizabunt et dependent imppetuu, Hiis testib3 
Wittmo de Norton fre, Wittmo de Norros, Rogo de Middulton, 
Alexandr' de Pilkinton, Adm de Pennilbury, Jordano Norreis, 
Witto de Diddesbury, Matho clico et aliis. 

Inscribed on the back of this deed is the following genealogical 
note: 



Henr. et Cecilia 
infra scriptis 



Amabilia ox' Galfridi 
del Plat de quibus 



Henr. de quo Elena uxf . Alexl del Bothe de 

quo Will's de q° Will'us qui nunc est. 
Rog*ns del Plat de Holyngreve de quo Will'ua 

de quo Margla de qua Ad'. 
Agues de qua Rob'tus de quo Joh'es de quo 
Nich*us de quo RiCus qui nune est. 
Cecilia uxr. Henr. del Plat de quibj Rog*us de quo Johanna de qua 
Will'us de quo Agnes de qua Will' qui ambo nune sunt. 



Ez hiis qui nunc sunt videlicet sunt a° 
dni Mo.ccccHo.xTiljo Marg*ia de qua 



Marg'ia font de q» Agnes de q* Will'us qui 

nunc est. 
Cecilia del Hull de qua Rob'tus qui nunc est 
Agnes Tele de qua Joh'es Tele et Thomas qui 

nunc sunt 



4. — UniVsis xpi fidelib5 ad quos ltte p'sentes p'ven'int fir 
Helias de Smethetun hmlis pr*or firm hosp' Jrtm in AngUa salm 
in dno. Nov*it univ'sitas v*ra nos de communi consilio et assensu 
totius capituli n'ri dedisse et concessisse et hac p'senti carta n'ra 
confirmasse Ric fil Ade de ffarnewurthe et heredib3 suis omem me. 
dietatem t're n're de la Platte quam medietatem Adam clicus de 
nobis quondam tenuit. Habend et tenendam d'cam medietatem 
tfre de la Platte de nobis sibi et hedib3 suis in hereditate libere et 
quiete bene et in pace cu omib3 coramun et aessiamentis in pas- 
cuis in viis in semitis in aquis et in omib3 locis ubi cummuns vel 
aessiamentum dco tenemento pertinet vel p'tinere potuit; Red- 
dendo inde aunuatim ipe et heredes sui domui nre quatuor solidos 
argent' ad festum Sci Math p omib3 s'viciis et exacconib} et con- 
8uetudinib3 ad nos p'tinentib3 et in obitu suo et hedum suor/ 
t'ciam partem catallor' suor 9 mobilium et immobilium ubicunc^ 
faint inventa. Nos v° d'cam medietatem t're de la Platte cu 



192 APPENDIX. 

omib3 communis et aessiamentis sicut p'notatum est dco Ric fii 
Ade de ffarnewurthe et heredib} suis cont* omes homines et 
ffeminas imppetuu warantizabimus quam diu donator illius domui 
n're ilia pot'it warantizar\ Et ut hec n'ra donaco rata et stabilis 
pmaneat p'sentem cartam sigitt capiculi n're roboramus, Hiis tes- 
tibus Dno Ada de Bury, Dno Galfrid de Chetham, Dno Galfrid 
capftan, Ric de Trafford, Ric de Bondini', Ric de Mostun, Henr. 
de la Platte et multis aliis. 

5. — Sciant p'sentes et fut'i q d ego RogS del Plat dedi concessi 
et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi Elene filie Henr. del* Plat duas 
acras terre jacentes in hamett del Plat in viii de Wythinton, videl't 
illas acr»s q a s Cecilia mat' mea recup'avit coram justiciar 9 dni Reg 9 
in banco p quodchn Bre q d vocatf Cui vita que quidm d'ce act* 
extendunt del Thornidiche usq > ad le Goselache, Hend et tenend 
eidm Elene et hedib3 suis et assignatis de capital dnis feodi illius 
p s'vicia inde debita et consueta libe quiete et in pace cu oib} 
jurib3 lib'tatib3 et asiamentis p'dce terr p , tinentib3. Et ego vero 
p'dcus Rog'us et hedes mei p'dcas duas acras tfre cu p'tin in oib} 
ut p'dcm est p'dcis Elene et hedib3 suis et assignatis contra omes 
gentes warantizabim 9 et impp'm defendem 9 . In cuj 9 rei testi- 
monial huic p'senti carte sigillu meu apposui hiis testib3 Johe 
Cissor* de Mamcestr, Thoma le Marchal, Robfo del Plat, Johe 
Bibby, Nicho clico et aliis. Dat' ap d le Plat die Safcti px post fm 
ScT Andree ap'li anno regni reg* Edwardi decimo septimo. 

6. — Omib3 xpi fidelib3 hoc septum visur* vel auditur', Witts fil 
Hugois de Laghokf saltm in Dno. Novltis me remisisse relaxasse 
et oino p me et hedib3 me ^ s imppet'm quietu clamasse Robfo fii 
RicT de farneworthe et hedib3 vel suis assignatis totu jus meu et 
clameu q d hui vel aliquo modo hjere potui in medietate totius 
hamelli del Plat in vitt de Wythinton que quid* medietas idem 



APPENDIX. 193 

Rob's huit p 8Ucce8sionem heditariam post mortem Rici de ffarne- 
worthe p'ris sui, Ita scify q d n ego p'dcus Wilis h hedes mei n 
aliq's alius noie nro aliq'd jur* vel clamei in p'dca medietate sea 
in pte ejusdem illi' hamelli de cetfo exig*e vel vindicare potim 9 
sVt penil? p hoc s'cm meu exclusi sim 9 imppetuu. Et pr*tra ego 
p'dcs Wilh et hedes mei p'dcam medietate toti 9 hamelli del Plat 
in oib} ut p'dcm est p'dco RoWo et hedil)3 vel suis assignatis cent* 
omes hoies warantizabim 9 . In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic scpto 
sigillu meu apposui, Hiis testib5 Dfiis Henr. de Trafforde, Rogo 
de Pilkynton militib}, Rico de Hulton, Johe de Hulton, Robfo de 
Asshton, Robfo de Grottoii, Nicho de Wyrkesworthe clico et aliis. 
Datf ap* le Plat die Jovis in cr*stino Sci Swythen epi anno regni 
reg' Edward fit reg' Edwardi octavo. 

7. — Die Lune px ante festu Sci Andree ap'li anno Dni Mil- 
lesimo tfcentes vicesimo q»rto Pc5 9 vent* intf Rogeru del Platte 
ex una p'te et Robertu fit Rici del Plattf ex alt'a pte sub hac 
forma q d pastura que se extendit ab hostio dci Rogi usty ad le 
Geldebrocke dividit' intf dcos Rogu et Robtm, et fossatm q d se 
extendit a vico usq> ad le Gelde broke p'dictf est totu sup pcetam 
dci Robfi. Pretfa dcus RogS quiet clamavit p se et hede Robfo 
et heredib3 suis totum jus suu et clamiu q d habuit seu aliquo modo 
habere potent in toto tenemeto a d'co fossato usc^ ad Gelde brocke 
inf vicu et le Herneflatte. Pret'a dVs RogS concessit Robfo et 
heredib3 suis tf ciam pte suam in le [name undecipherable] una cu 
quadam butea jacente in Gosecroft in escambio p t'ra d'ci Robfi 
jacente in le fal d'ci Rogi. In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti 
sc'pto sigillu meu apposui, hiis testib3 Rogo dfio de Barrlowe, 
Johe de Worthinton, Thoma le Marchal de Mamcestr, Johe fre 
eius, Johe Bibby de Mamcestr et aliis. Dat' ap d Lancastr die et 
anno sup*dcis. 

c c 



194 APPENDIX. 

8. — Sciant p'sentes et fdturi q d ego Elena fil Henr. del Plate 
dedi coucessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi Rico fil KobH del 
Platf unam acram t're cum p'tin jacentem in hamello del Platf in 
villa de Wy thinton quam hul ex dono et feoffamento Rogi del Plat 
que quid em acra tfre jacet in quodam campo vocato le Bruches 
cujus unu capnd se extendit del Thornidiche usq > ad le Goselache, 
Hendam et tenendam p'dcam tfram cu ptin pdeo Rico et hedib} 
de corpe suo pcreatf de capit' dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita 
et de jure consueta libe quiete bene et in pace cu omib3 libtatib} 
et aysiamentis dee t're p'tinentib3 imppetuu. Et si contingat q d 
idem Ricus obierit sine hede de corpe suo pcreato tnc post deces- 
sum ipiud Rici p'dca t*ra cu ptin integre remanebit Johi fratri 
ejusdem Rici et hedib3 de corpe suo pcreatf, Tenend de capit* 
dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta imppetuu. 
Et si contingat q d idem Johnes obierit sine hede de corpe suo 
pcreato tnc post decessum ipius Johis p'dca t'ra cu ptin integre 
remanebit Robto del Plat patri p'dicor' Rici et Johis hedib} et 
assignatis suis Tenend de capit* dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde 
debita et de jure consueta imppetuu. Et ego vero p'dca Elena et 
hedes mei p'dcam t'ram cu ptin p'dco Ric6 et hedib3 suis p'dcis 
et p'dco Johi et hedib} suis p'dcis si idem Ricus obierit sine hede 
de corpe suo pcreato, et p'dco Robto et hedib3 suis si idem Johes 
obierit sine hede de corpe suo pcreato warantizabimP cont* omes 
holes imppetuu. In cuj 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte sigillu 
meu apposui, hiis testib3 Rogo de Barlowe, Henr. de Trafford, 
Johe le Taillour de Mamcestr, Rico fii Thome de Mamcestr, 
Thoma fil Rici de Bpsedon, Robfo de Milkewalleslade, Thoma fil 
Alani de Aynesworthe et aliis. Dat' apud le Plat die Jovis px 
post festu Sci Michis Archangti anno regni Edwardi reg* Angl 
fcii a conquestu decimo septimo et regni sui ffrancie quarto. 

9. — Sciant p'sentes et fat'i q d ego Elena fil Henr' del Plat dedi 



APPENDIX. 195 

concessi et hacp'senti carta mea confirmavi Johi fit Robfi del 
Plat una acram t're cum ptin in villa de Withinton quam hm ex 
dono et feoffamento Rogi del Plat que quidem acra t*re jacet juxta 
le Yeldehousdiche in hamello del Plat in quodam campo quod 
vocatf le Brucfaes cuj 9 unu capnd se extendit del Thornidiche usq^ 
ad le Goselache. Head et tenend p'dcam tf ram cu ptin p'dco 
Johi et heredib3 de corpore suo legitie pcreat* de capita dnis ftodi 
illiu8 p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta libe quiete bene et 
in pace cu omib3 lib'tatib3 et aysiamentis dee tfre ptinentib3 * m - 
ppetuu. Et si contingat q d idem Johes obierit sine herede de 
corpore suo legitie pcreat* tunc post decessum ipius Johis p'dca 
t'ra cu ptin integre remanebit Rico fratri ejusdem Johis et 
heredib3 de corpore suo legitie pcreat', Tenend de capitf dnis 
feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta imppetuu. Et 
si contingat q d idem Ricus obierit sine herede de corpore suo 
legitie procreato tunc post decessu ipius Rici p'dca t*ra cum ptin 
integre remanebit Robfo del Plat patri p'dcor* Johis et Rici 
heredib3 et assignatis suis, Tenend de capitf dnis feodi illius p 
s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta imppetuu. Et ego vero 
p'dca Elena et heredes mei p'dcam tf ram cu ptin p'dcis Johi Rico 
et Robfo et heredib3 suis warantizabim? et defendem 9 cont a omes 
holes imppetuu in forma sup*dca. In cuj 9 rei testimoniu huic 
psenti carte indentate sigillu meu apposui, hiis testib3 Henr* de 
Trafford, Rogo de Barlowe, Thoma fil Alani de Aynesworthe, 
Johe le Taillo r de M amcestr, Rico fil Thome le Mareschal de 
Mamcestr, Thoma fil Rici de Bosedon, Robfo de Milkewalleslade 
et aliis, Dat' apud le Plat die Jovis px post festu Sci Michis 
Archangti anno regni reg' Edwardi t'eii post conquestum Angl 
decimo septimo et ffranc quarto. 

10. — Ceste endanture faite entre Eleyne la fille Henry del 
Platf la puisnesse d'une pte et Rob? del Platf d'autre pte test- 



196 APPENDIX. 

moigne que come le dit RoM ad graunte al dite Eleyne p sa 
chartre endente nne maea et dis} acres de sa t're en Plate en la 
ville de Wythyngton a avoir et tenir a meisme cesty Eleyne a 
t'me de aa Tie del avaunt dit Rob! et de aes heria rendannt dou}e 
deners p an aicome en la chartre endentee entre eux de cea faites 
plus pleinement eat contenu. Lavaunt dite Eleyne voetf et 
graunte f> lui q si ele aoit en eyde a William fit3 Aliaanndre del 
Bothe en ascune mafle on p doner de sea liens on chateux on p 
pole on dempledre les tenement} quels meisme cesty Eleyne 
recoureri vers lavaunt dit William a Lancastr' p assise de nouvele 
disseisine devaunt Mons. William Basset et ses compaignonns 
Justices a assises f)ndre en le countie de Lancastr' assignes. Et 
de quels tenement} meisme cesty Eleyne ad enfeffe lavaunt dit 
Itobt et ses hens et ses assignes sicome p la chartre p lavaunt dite 
Eloyne a lavaunt dit Robert de ceo faite plus pleinement est 
contenu q a dong>s bien lise al dit Robert et a ses heris et a sea 
assignes cntrcr les avaunt dit} mees et t're et les retenir sann} 
oountre dit del avaunt dite Eleyne et ensement q la chartre 
endente de ceo faite ne soit de valu. Ensement sramcol[?] lavaunt 
dite Eleyne q a quel houre q ele Uesse les avaunt dit} tenement} a 
ascun fors q al avaunt dit Robt ou a ses heris q a dong>s bien lise 
al avaunt dit Robt et a ses heris dentrer les avaunt dit} tenement} 
et les rctcnir sann} countredit del avaunt dite Eleyne et q ele soit 
oshto do chescun mani'e daccionn a demaundre les tenement} 
avauut dit}. Par quele graunte lavaunt dit Robt graunte p°* lui 
et p r ses heris q si lavaunt dite Eleyne ne soit de pouver detenir 
les tenement} avant dit} en sa meyne demeigne le dit Robt 
graunto po r lui et p r ses heris a prendre la Pre en aa meyn 
demeigne ou en la meyn des heris et rendronnt al elite Eleyne p* 
toto sa vie dis south [sous] p an a deux fines del an cest a savoir 
la raoitec a la feste de Seynt Michel larchangel et lautre moitee a 
la feste de Seynte Jotin le Baptistre p oueles [egales] porcionns. 



APPENDIX. 197 

A quele chose faire a loyalment p fourner les avant dit3 Eleyne et 
Robt entrechaungablement onnt mys leur seals. Ceux sonnt les 
tesmoignes Johan de Aynesworth, Adam de Hoppewode, Roger 
de Chadirton, Roger de Shotellesworth le puisne, et Thomas le 
fil3, Aleyn de Aynesworthe et autres. Done a Bury le dismeigne 
pchayn ap's la feste de Seynt Bartholomeu l'apostol, I/an du 
regne Edward roi d' Angle¥re tierc5 puis le conquest dis et octoisme 
et de son regne de Fraunce quinte. 

11. — Sciant p'sentes et fut'i q d ego Elena filia Henrici del 
Plates junior dedi concessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi 
Robfo del Plates hedib3 et assignatis suis duo messuagia viginti et 
quatuor acras t're et una acram p r ti cu p'tin in Wythyngton que 
quidem ten d'ca Elena recupavi v'sus Wiftm fit Alexi del Bothe p 
assiam nove disseie coram Wifto Basset et sociis suis Justic' ad 
assias nove disseie in com Lancastr* assign' capiend, Hend et 
Tenend ola p'dca ten cu suis p'tin p'fato Robto hedib3 et assig- 
natis suis de capit' dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jure 
consueta libe quiete bene et in pace cu libo introitu et exitu et cu 
cola pasture et cu onrib} aliis p'tin dco ten p^tinentib} in eadc 
villa. Et ego vero p'dca Elena et hedes mei oia p'dca ten cu suis 
p'tin in omib3 sicut p'dcm est p'fato Robto hedib3 et assignatis 
suis cont a omes holes warantizabim 9 et imppetuu defend em 9 . In 
cuj 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte sigillu meu apposui, hiis 
testib3 Nicho de Longeford milite, Henr. de Trafford, Robfo fii 
Henr.[?] de Trafford militis, Jordano de Clay den, Robfo de 
Cborleton, Thoma de Holt, Robfo de Mylkwalslade et aliis. Dat' 
apud le Plates die Lune pi post festu Sci Cuthbti epi anno regni 
Edwardi reg' Angl t'cii a conquestu decimo octavo et regni sui 
ffrancie quinto. 

12. — Hec carta indentata testat' q d Robtus del Plat dedit con- 



198 APPENDIX. 

cessit et hac psenti carta sua indentata confirmavit Rico filio sno 
et heredi omla t'ras et ten sua cu edificiis que huit die confecconis 
psentiu in villa de Wythynton, Hend et Tenend omia p'dca f ras 
et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin p'dco Rico et hered de corpore suo 
legitie pcreatis libe quiete bene et in pace cu omib3 libfotib} et 
aysiamentis pdcis t'ris et ten cu edificiis in villa de Wythinton 
ptin' de capit' dnis feodi illius p s'vicia que ad p'dca t'ras et ten 
cu edificiis ptinent imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dcus Ricus 
obierit sine herede de corpore suo legitie pcreat' tunc post deces- 
sum ipius Rici omia p'dca terre et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin 
integre remaneant Johi fri ejusd Rici et hered de corpe suo legitie 
pcreatis Hend et Tenend omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis et cu 
ptin p'dco Johi de capit' dnia feodi illius p s'vicia que ad p'dca 
t'ras et ten cu edificiis ptin imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dcus 
Johes obierit sine herede de corpe suo legitie pcreat 1 tunc post* 
decessum ipius Johis omia p'dca terre et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin' 
integr' remaneant Robfo fil Robti de Milkewalleslade juniori et 
hered masciis de corpe suo legitie pcreatis Hend et Tenend omia 
pdca t'ras et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin p'dco Robfo fii Robti de 
capit' dnis feodi illius p s'vicia que ad p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis 
ptinent' imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dcus Robtus fii Robti 
obierit sine herede mascto de corpe suo legitie pcreat' tunc post 
decessum ipius Robti fii Robti omia p'dca t're et ten cu edificiis 
et cu ptin' integre remaneant Johi fil Robti de Milkwaleslade fri 
p'dco Robto fii Robti et hered masclis de corpe suo legitie pcreat' 
Hend et Tenend omia pMca t'ras et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin 
p'dco Johi fit Robti de capit 7 dnis feodi illi 9 p s'vicia que ad p'dca 
t'ras et ten cu edificiis ptinent imppetuu. Et si contingat q d 
p'dcus Johes fii Robti obierit sine herede mascio de corpe suo 
legitie pcreat' tunc post decessum ipius Johis fii Robti omia p'dca 
t're et ten cu edificiis et cu p'tin integ' remaneant Robfo fii Ade 
de ffernilegh de Sadulwrthffryth et hered masctis de corpe suo 



APPENDIX. 199 

legitie pcreat' Hend et Tenend omia p'dca f ras et ten cu edificiis 
et cu ptin p'dco Robfo fii Ade de capit' dfiis feodi illi 9 p s'vicia 
que ad p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis ptinent imppetuu. Et si con- 
tingat q d p'dcus Robtus fii Ade obierit sine hered mascto de corpe 
sno legitie pcreat' tunc post decessum ipius RobH fil Ade omia 
p'dca t're et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin integr' remaneant Witto fil 
Edward Heth de Sadulworthfryth et hered masctis de corpe suo 
legitie pcreaf Hend et Tenend omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis 
et cu ptin p'dco Wifto de capit' dnis feodi illius p s'vicia que ad 
p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis ptinent imppetuu. Et si contingat 
qd p'dcus WTftus obierit sine hered masctis de corpe suo legitie 
pcreat' tunc post decessum ipius Witti omia p'dca t're et ten cu 
edificiis et cu ptin integr' remaneant Margarete fit RobH del Plat 
et heredib3 masctis de corpe suo legitie pcreat' Hend et Tenend 
omia p'dca f ras et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin p'dce Margarete de 
capit' dnis feodi illi 9 p s'vicia que ad pdca t'ras et ten cu edificiis 
ptinent imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dca Margareta obierit 
sine hered mascto de corpe suo legitie pcreat' tunc post decessum 
ipius Margarete omia p'dca t're et ten cu edificiis et cu ptin rectis 
heredib3 ipius RobH del Plat integr' remaneant Hend et Tenend 
omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis et cu p'tin p'dcis rectis hed 
ipius RobH del Plat de capif dnis feodi illius p s'vicia que ad 
p'dca t'ras et ten cu edificiis ptinent imppetuu. Et p'dcus vero 
Roblius del Plat et hered sui omia p'dca f ras et ten cu edificiis et 
cu ptin p'dco Rico et heredib3 de corpe suo legitie pcreat' ut 
p'dcm est, et ecia p'dco Johi fri ejusdm Rici et heredibj de corpe 
suo legitie pcreatf ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dco Robfo fit RobH et 
heredib} masctis de corpe suo legitie pcreat' ut p'dcm est, et ecia 
p'dco Johi fii RobH et hered masciis de corpe suo legitie pcreat' 
ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dco Robto fil Ade et hered masctis de 
corpe legitie pcreat' ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dco WiHo et heredib} 
masctis de corpe suo legitie pcreaf ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dce 



200 APPENDIX. 

Margarete et heredib} mascfis de corpe suo legitie pcreat' ut 
p'dcm est, et ecia rectis heredib3 ipius Robfi del Plat cont* oes 
gentes warantizabim 9 et imppetuu defendem 9 . In cuj 9 rei testi- 
monial huic p'senti carte indentate sigillu suum apposuit, hiis 
testib3 Nicho de Longeford chivaler, Thoma de Trafford, Rogo 
de Barlow, Thoma del Holt, Robfo de Chorlton, Henr. fit Rob? 
del Birches et aliis. Datf ap d Wythinton die SabS px ante fm 
See Margarete virgis anno regni regis Edwardi t'eii a conqnestu 
vicesimo t'cio regni vero ffirancie decimo. 

13. — Pateat luuVsis p p'sentes me Robtm del Plat dedisse et 
vendidisse Rico fit meo et heredi omia bona mea mobilia et im- 
mobilia quecuq, hui die confecconis psentiu in villa de Wythynton. 
Ita vero q d nee ego dens Robfris nee executores mei nee aliquis 
alius noie nro sea jure nro aliquid juris vel clameu in pdcis bonis 
here exig*e vel vendicare potW infitm[?] ac ab omni accone sim? 
exclusi imppetuu. In cuj 9 rei testimoniu p'sentib3 sigillu meu 
apposui. Datf apud Wythynton die Sabti px ante fm See Mar- 
garete virginis anno regni regis Edwardi t'eii a conqnestu vicesimo 
t'cio regno vero flrancie decimo. 

14. — In noie Dei amen. Anno dni m°ccc° sexageso die Veneris 
in fasto Sei Mauri Abbat' Ego Robart 9 de Platte 9 do testamet 
meu iu hnc mod. Impprimis lego aiam mea Deo et be Marie 
et 0103 scis et corp' meu ad sepeliend in simiterio Macest', et 
meli auer' coram corpe meo in noie mortuar* ad fidelit' minis- 
trandm. Istos constituo execu tores meos s[cilicet] Johm filiu 
meu et Loretam uxor 9 meam ut ministrat oia bona mea sicut 
meli 9 aie mee viderit. In cui 9 rei testimoniu'huic testameto sigili 
meu apposui. 

[Endorsed :] Ut hoc testamet pbatu fact* cora decano Macestr 
& administr* bonor* datf fuit ex'b}. In en 9 rei test* sigillu offii' 



APPENDIX. 201 

nri psentib} apposuim 9 . Datf Macestr in vigilia Sci Mathie ap'li 
anno Dni m°ccc° sexageio. 

15. — Sciant p'sentes & futuri q d ego Johnes del Plat dedi con- 
cessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi Johi le fiytheler, Wittmo 
le fiytheler, Johi de Poynton, Wittmo Davie, Rico Braybon capitis, 
Nieho & Ade fit meis & Johi & Rico fit Rici del Plat omia t'ras 
& ten, p r ta, redditus & s'vicia cu edificiis & cu omib} suis p'tin 
que hui die confecconis p'senciu in hamello del Plat in villa de 
Withyngton, Hend & Tend omia p'dca t'ras & ten, p*ta, redditus & 
s^vicia cu edificiis & cu omib3 suis p'tin p'fatis Johi le fiytheler, 
Wittmo le fiytheler, Johi de Poynton, Wittmo Davie, Rico Bray- 
bon capitis, Nicho & Ade fit meis & Johi & Rico fit Rici del Plat 
her* & assignatis suis libe quiete integre bene & in pace de capi- 
talib3 dnis feodi illi 9 p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta im- 
ppetuu. Et ego v° p'dcus Johes del Plat et her 9 mei omia p'dca 
t'ras et ten, p r ta, redditus & s'vicia cu edificiis et cu omib} suis p'tin 
p'fatis Johi de fiytheler, Wittmo le fiytheler, Johi de Poynton, 
Wittmo Davie, Rico Braybon capitis, Nicho et Ade fit meis et 
Johi et Rico fit Rici del Plat her' et assignatis suis cont a omes 
gentes warantizabim 9 et imppetuu defendem 9 . In cuf rei testi- 
moniu huic. p'senti carte sigillu meu apposui hiis testib} Johne 
de Radeclif de Chadurton, Robfo de Chorltoii, Ad de Barlawe, 
Johne de Neuton & Henrico le Marshal de Mamcestr et aliis. 
Datf apud le Plat die Satibi pxia post festu Sci Andree ap'li anno 
regni regis Edwardi t'cii a conquestu Anglie quad r gesimo octavo. 

16. — Sciant p'sentes et futuri q d ego Johes del Platf dedi con- 
cessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi Galfro filio Johis Ed- 
mundson le clerke & Alonie filie mee totam t'ciam ptem oral t'rar' 
et tenemetor' meor' cu ptin suis que hui seu aliquo modo here 
pot'o infra comitatu Lancastr Hnd et Tend totam p'dcam p'tem 

DD 



202 APPENDIX. 

omi pdcor frar 1 et ten cu omlb} ptin suis pfatis Galfro et Alonie 
et hedib} int' eosd de corplb} eordm Galfri et Alonie lie [legitime] 
pcreatis de me ad totam vitam mei p'dci Johis sine omi s'vicio 
aclari exaccone et demand. Ego vero p'dcus Johes del Plat et 
hedes mei totam p'dcam tfciam ptem omi p'dcor* terrar' et ten cu 
omib3 ptin suis p'fatis Galfro et Alonie et hedib} intf eosdm Gal- 
frm et Alonia lie [legitime] pcreatis ad totam vitam meam cent? 
omS gentea warantizabim 9 . In cu? rei testm huic psenti carte 
sigillu meu apposui hiis testib} Radpho de Radcliff, Johne de 
Eadcliff de Chadurton, Johne de Radcliff de Ordessaft, Henr' de 
Crompton, Witto del Crosse et multis aliis. Dat* apod le Plat die 
Martis in festo translacois Sci Thome martiris anno regni regis 
Kiel scdi post conquestu septio. 

« 

17. — Pateat umVsis p psentes me Nichfii filiu Johis del Plat 

dedisse concessisse Robfo Colayn capellano omia bona mea et 
catalla in le Plat in villa de Wythington. Ita v° nee ego p'des 
Nichus nee her* mei nee aliquis alius noie nro aliqua accon in 
p'dcis bonis sen catatt de ceto exig*e vel vendicare pot'im 9 ac ab 
omi accoe sim 9 exclusi imppetuu. In cu? rei testimouiu psentib) 
sigillu meu apposui. Dat' apud le Plat in villa de Wythington die 
dnica px post festu Sci Cedde epi anno regni reg' Rici scdi post 
oonquestii Anglie q rto decio. 

18. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Nichus filius Johis del 
Plat dedi coneessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Bobio 
Colayn capellano oia t'ras et ten mea cu ptin in le Plat in villa de 
Wythington, Hend et Tenend omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu ptin 
p'dco Robfo her* et assign suis libere quiete integre bene et in 
pace de capitalib} dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jure 
consueta imppetuu. Et ego v° p'des Nichus et heredes mei omia 
p'dca t'ras et ten cu ptin p'dco Robfo her 9 et assignatis suis oant* 



APPENDIX. 203 

omes gentes warantizabim 9 imppetuu. In cu? rei testimoniu huic 
psenti carte mee sigillu meu apposui hiis testib} Bado de Preste- 
wyche, Bado de Barlawe, Wilhao Bolder, Jobne de Strangeways 
et Bico Bybby et aliis. Dat' apud le Plat die dnica px post festu 
Sci Cedde epT anno regni regis Bici scdi post conquestu Anglie 
quarto decio. 

Seal : Green wax ; Device — a shield vair placed obliquely, its 
sinister chief surmounted by a helmet from which spring two 
standards. Legend : " Philipc de Premieres." 

19. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Robtus Colayn capellanus 
dedi concessi ethac psenti carta mea indentata confirmavi Nicho 
filio Johis del Plat omia t'ras et ten mea cu ptin que hul ex dono 
et feoffamento p'dci Nichi in le Plat i villa de Wythington, Hend 
et Tenenct omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu ptin suis p'dco Nicho et her 1 
de corpe suo legitie pcreat' libere quiete bene et in pace de capi- 
talib} dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consueta 
imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dcs Nichus obierit sine her 9 de 
corpe suo legitie pcreat' volo q d omia p'dca t'r et ten cu p'tin suis 
remaneat Alone sorori p'dci Nichi et her' ipius Alone de corpe 
suo legitie pcreat' Hend et Tenend omia p'dca t'ras et ten cu ptin 
p^dce Alone et her' de corpe suo legitie pcreat' libere quiete bene 
et in pace de capital^ dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de 
jure consueta imppetuu. Et si contingat q d p'dca Alona obierit 
sine her' de corpe suo legitime pcreat' volo q d omia p'dca t'r et 
ten cu ptin remaneant Emmote ux'i Johis del Slade et her' ipius 
Emmote de corpe suo legitime pcreaf Hend et Tenend omia p'dca 
t'ras et ten cu ptin p'dce Emmote et her' de corpe suo legitime 
pcreat' libe quiete bene et in pace de capitalib} dnis feodi illius p 
s'vicia inde debita et [de] jur' consueta imppetuu. Et si contin- 
gat q d p'dca Emmota obierit sine her' de corpe suo legitime 
pcreaf volo q d omia p'dca t'r et ten cu ptin remaneant Johi del 



204 APPENDIX. 

Flat juniori dco filio Bici del Plat filii Bobfi del Plat et her' ipius 
Johis de corpe suo legitime pcreatf Hend et Tenend omia p'dca 
tfras et ten cu ptin p'dco Johi del Plat juniori et her* de corpe 
suo legitie pcreat' libere quiete bene et in pace de capitalib3 dnis 
feodi illiu8 p s'vicia inde debita et de jur 9 consueta imppetuu. Et 
si contingat q d p'dcs Johes del Plat junior obierit sine her* de 
corpe suo legitie pcreaf volo q d omia p'dca tfr et ten cu ptin rectis 
her' p'dci Nichi integre rem'eant Hend et Tenend omia p'dca 
tfras et ten cu ptin p'dcis rectis her' libe quiete bene et in pace de 
capitalib3 dnis feodi illius p s'vicia inde debita et de jur* consueta 
imppetuu. Et ego v° p'dcs Bobtus Colayn et her' mei oia p'dca 
t'ras et ten cu oib} ptin suis p'dco Nicho et her* de corpe suo 
legitie pcreatf ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dce Alone et her 9 de corpe 
suo legitie pcreat' ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dce Emmote et her 9 de 
corpe suo legitie pcreatf ut p'dcm est, et ecia p'dco Johi del Plat 
juniori et her* de corpe suo legitime pcreat' ut p'dcm est, et eciam 
p'dcis rectis her' ipius Nichi ut p'dcm est cont a omes gentes 
warantizabim 9 imppetuu. In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic psenti carte 
indentate sigillu meu apposni hiis testib3 Badulpho de Badecliff 
milite, Henrico de Trafford, Badulpho de Prestewyche, Johne de 
Barlowe et Radulpho de Barlowe et aliis. Dat' apud le Plat in 
villa de Wythington die Ven'is px post festu Sci Gregorii pape 
anno regni reg' Kiel scdi post conquestu Anglie quarto decimo. 

20. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Nichus del Platte dedi 
concessi et hac psenti carta mea indentata confirmavi Rado de 
Radeclif militi et Rado fil ejus omia mesuagia t'ras et ten mea cu 
ptin in le Platte in villa de Wythyngton exceptf uno mes' et duab} 
acris t're vocaf Goscrofthous et una pcella tfre vocat' le Med- 
hap, Hend et Tenend omia p'dca mes' f ras et ten cu ptin p'dcis 
Bado et Bado at t'mnm vite p'dci Badi de Badeclif milit' salvo 
Wittmo del Byrches et hered suis unam via ult* p'dcam f ram cu 



APPENDIX. 205 

curro suo et 01D3 aliis car'agiis snis a domo dci Willi usq> ad coem 
viam in Bisshum. Bedendo inde annuati michi hered et assign' 
meis p p'mos octo annos post daf p'sent' viginti solidos argenti 
ad festu nativit" Sci Johis baptist' et natal dni p equales porcoes 
et faciend capitalib3 dnis feodi illins s'vicia inde debita et de jure 
consuet' et redendo inde annuati michi et hered meis p quolifc 
anno quo p'dci Bad! et Bad! teneant et habeant p'dca mes' tYas 
et ten cu p'tin ult* p'dcos octo annos decern marcas argenti ad 
festa p'dca p equales porcoes et faciendo capitalib3 dnis feodi illius 
s'vicia inde debita et de jure cons'. Et si contingat p'dcm annuale 
viginti solidi ad alique t'mnm quo solvi debent a retro esse in pte 
vel in toto seu p'dcm annuale redditu decern marcar' ad alique 
f mnm quo solvi debent aret' esse in pte vel in toto et p viginti 
dies px sequ alique t'mnm p'dcm q d trie bene liceat michi p'fato 
Nicho hered et assign meis in p'dcis mes' t'ris et ten cu ptin 
int'*re et ea in statu meo p'stino retinere et pacifice possidere sine 
concencoe p'dci Kadi et Bad! seu alien? alf ius et p'dci Badus et 
Radus sustentabunt omes domos supd'eas t'ras et ten edificaf et 
eas in adeo bono statu seu meliori quo eas receperunt ad finem 
f mni sui dimittent. Et ego v° p'dcus Nichus et hered mei omia 
p'dca mes' f ras et ten cu ptin p'dcis Bado et Bado ad f mnm vite 
p'dci Badi de Badeclif milit' in forma p'missa cont a omes gentes 
warantizabim 9 et defendem 9 . In cu? rei testimoniu huj 9 carte 
mee indentate sigillu meu apposui. Dat' apud Wythyngton die 
dnica px post fm Ascencois dni anno regni reg' Bic' scdi sexto 
decimo. 

21. — Sciant p'sentes et futuri q d ego Nichus del Platte dedi 
concessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Thome de Hulton 
rectori ecclie de Bury omia t'ras et ten mea cu omib3 suis ptin in 
hamella de Busshu in villa de Wythyngton^ Hend et Tenend omia 
p'dca terras et ten cu omibs suis ptin p'fato Thome her 9 et assig- 



206 APPENDIX. 

naf suis Mbe qrriete bene et [in] pace de capitalib5 dnis feodi illi 9 
p s'vicia inde debita et de jure consuet\ Et ego t° p'dict Nichus 
et her* mei omia p'dct terr* et ten cii diby suis ptin p'fato Thome 
her' et assignaf snis cont a omes gentes warantizabim 9 et imppetuu 
defendem 9 . In cui? rei testimon huic psenti carte mee sigillu 
meu apposui, testib3 Rado de Stanelay milk', Johe de Ashton 
milit', Johe de H niton, Edmudo de Workesfey, Johe de Baumfort 
et aliis. Daf apnd Ruschu die dnica px post fin Sci Cedde epi 
anno regni reg* Henr* ip$i post conquestm Anglie p'mo. 

22. — Sciant p'sentes et fiituri q d ego Thomas de Hnlton rector 
ecclie de Bury dedi concessi et hac p'senti carta mea confirmavi 
Rico filio Nichi del Plat et Katine ux'i ejusd et heredib3 int' eosd 
lie [legitime] pcreatis dimidia p'tem uni 9 campi qui voeat' le Plat 
fold cu oib3 suis ptin que hui ex dono et feofiamento p'dictf Nichi 
del Plat in le Plat in villa de Wythyngton cuj 9 unu capnt extendit 
se ad domu Edi de Workesley et aliud in le Risshu Broke, Hend 
et Tend p'dca dimidia p'tem p'dcti campi cu oib} suis p'tin p'fat* 
Rico et Katine uxi ejusd et heredib} intf eosd lie pcreatis libe 
quiete bene et in pace de capitalib} dnis feodi ill? p s'vicia inde 
debita et de jure consueta imppetuu. Et ego v° p'dict Thomas de 
Hnlton rector ecclie de Bury et heredes mei p' dicta dimidia p'tem 
p'dcti campi p'dict Rico et Katine et heredib} int' eosd lie [legitime] 
pcreatis ut p'dictu est contra omes gentes warantizabim 9 et imppetuu 
defendem 9 . In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte mee sigillu 
meu apposui hiis testib} Edmo de Trafford, Johe de Hulton de 
ffarneworth, Johe de Trafford sen' et multis aliis. Daf apud le 
Plat in villa de Wythyngton die M'curii px ante festu Sci Nichi 
epi a regni regis Henrici quinti post conquestu Anglie tercio. 

23. — In x° sibi . . . Johannis Piatt & Constancie cosortf sue fir' 
Jacob 9 frm mino^ P'ston* Gardian 9 & s'rv 9 . [servus] salt'm & p 



APPENDIX. 207 

p'sentf vite indita regna celestia pnderi cu scissim? in x° pat 9 & 
Dns dom 9 sixt 9 dia p'videncia ppia .... solu fr'b} & soror^ nri 
ordiS j\ etia cofr^b} & cosororib} eiusct lrae suffratriales hu'tib3 de 
benignitate aptica gciose oocessit p quilib} eoru possit s 1 elige 
idoneu cofessore q ipos & ipo^ quelib3 ab oib} & singHs tunb} 
excessib} & pccis in singHs eedi aplice res'vatf casib} fei duntaxat 
hoc anno a publicacoe iraa ppialm coputado vi} qun to die mes Ap'lis 
& set in mortf articfo ab aliis v° toties ep 9 fii'it absolve & pnam 
salutare in ... . possit ad que & alius cofessor plenaria omium p'cco* 
eoruct remissione in v° mortf articfo valerj elargiri p iras suas 
apticas benigne indulsit ind^cio vre devocois q a m ob v a rev^encia 
ad n'rm faetf ordine since* cofidms affcm & acceptas vos in cofrem 
& eosorore & ad univ'sa & singia frm administois Anglicane suf- 
fragia recipio tenor' p'senciu in vita pit' [pariter] & in morte ut 
dels aptic* p'vilegiis q> bono* spualm biieficiis scdm forma & eficm 
eorud pfruam vestro* aia& ad saltm, adycies nichiiomin 9 de g*cia 
speciali ut cu post obitu turn p'sencm fca fuit exhibico Ira* in 
nro p'vinciali cit [capitulo] eadf p vob fiat recome'daco q > p frib} 
nria defuctf ifem recomedatf fieri cosuev't. Valete in x° ihu & 
cratf pmo. Dat' p' stone octavo die mes Marcii anno Dni Miihno 
ccoc°xxix°. 

24. — Univ'sis & singlis psentes iras insp'tur' Kath'na nup ux* 
Rici Plat saltm. Nov'it' me in pura viduetate mea dedisse con- 
cessisse & hoc p'senti scripto meo confirmasae Edmudo Trafford 
militi omia bona mea & cataila mobilia & immobilia ubicuc^ 
invent, Hend & Tend omia bona & cataila p'dca p'fatf Edmudo & 
assign suis libe & quiete sine aliq* cont*dic6e mei p'fatf Kath'ne 
herect seu exec' meo& aut alio* noie nro quoj&oncuc^ imppetm. In 
cui? rei testiom huic p'senti scpto meo sigillu meu apposui hiis 
testib3 Rado Prestwiche, Thoma Trafford, Hug* Scoles capello & 
multf aliis. Dat* die Venis px post festu Sci HUlar* anno regni 
regis Henr* sexti post conquestm decimo octavo. 



208 APPENDIX. 

25. — In noie Dm amen. Ego Ricardus Plat Anglicus scutifer 
lego seu contribuo aiam mea Deo oipotenti & beate Marie virgini 
& omIt>3 scis & reliuquo corpus meu sen cadaver vermib3 atq, 
sepeliri in pro* sci s samtini foro mei? Dioc' Maiden, cupimus q d 
de bonis michi a Deo collate p salute ale mee pvide. P'mo facio 
sen ordino test' seu ultiam volu'tem in modum qui sequitur. 
Primo volo & cupio q malefacta mea atq, debita si po 1 * [possibile] 
sit restaurentur ac eciam emendentur. Deinde ea que debeo & 
legata mea infra scripta, volens et ordinans q si aliquid residm in- 
vents fait ultra ea que distribuo in fine dier* meor 1 q p manm 
executoris nri Johnis Plat filii mei disponatur et ordinat r meliori 
modo q ei p salute mea q vidit' exped'i. Primo do & lego eccie 
p'd' in qua corpus meu p mic* jacet seu requiescit unu nobile auri 
p sepultura mea. Post meo 9 fessori vero Johani Richebery seu 
aie mee medico tria nobilia auri. It£ Gaufrido filio meo quadra** 
nobilia 9 cedo, & residm volo & ordino q p manus executoris Johns 
Plat filii mei disponat r & ordinet r & ipm 9 stituo Johnm Plat exe- 
cutory meu, dans & 9 cedens ei executori meo plenam p'tatem & 
madatum spale omia & singla p'missa exeque'di augendi 9 . . . . c'di 
ac eciam defalcandi & in melius disponedi si ncce fuit put execu- 
tor meus legitime 9 stitutus potfit & debuerit p salute aie mee face. 
Yolo & ordino q istud test'm seu ultima voluntas duret usq > ad 
imppetuum. In cui 9 rei testimoniu sui acta eit* hec cora Jobe 
Bichebery pfcro et in domo habftacionis dicti testatoris p'ntit>3 
Johe Gauwen & Roberto Boston, Jobe Nuehyc cu plib3 aliis 
testib) fide dignis ad p'missa vocatf piterq, rogatf. Act' anno Dni 
M°cccc°xxxix die quarta meS Septebris. J. Ruschebery. 

Seal, pendant, of greenish wax, vesica-shaped, bearing in a 
three-gabled niche a Priest or Bishop in vestments or robes, per- 
haps mitred, holding in his left hand a palm branch, or rather an 
aspergam or sprinkler. Legend in Lombardic capitals : b[igillum] 

CURIE ECCLIE 8CI PETRI SOISTAMECO. 



APPENDIX. 209 

26. — Sciant p'sentes et faturi q d ego Johes del Plat concessi 
tradidi et ad firm! dimisi Katarine nup ux'i Rici del Flat unm 
mesuag* vocatf Goscrofthous cum quod m orreo et duab3 acris t're 
et uno gardino p'dctl mesuag* p'tinent in le Flat in hamella de 
Risshum, Hend et Tend eictm Katine ad tfminm vite sue, Red- 
dendo inde annuatl p'dco Johi hered 9 et assignat' suis quatuor 
solid' legal monete ad festu Nat. Sci Johis Bapt' p ornib) s'viciis. 
Et si contingat p'dict reddif a retro esse in pte vel in toto ad festu 
p'dcm q d tnc bene liceat p'fat* Johi hered et assign suis in p'dco 
mesuag* distring'e et districoes sic capt* asportare et penes se 
retinere quousc^ de p'dco reddit" oines arreras ejusct fu'unt eietm 
Johi hered seu assignat' suis plenar 1 fuit satisflon. In cui 9 rei 
testimoniu huic p'senti scr'pto meo sigillu meu apposui hiis testib) 
Rado Birches, Robfo Byrches, Witto Hunt et multis aliis. Dat 1 
apud le Flat xxvj° die Augusti anno regni reg > Henr* sexti post 
conquestu vicesimo octavo. 

27. — Frater RicuS minist' dom 9 Sci RobS juxta Enaresburgh 
Ordis see t'nitatis et Redempcois captior qui snt icarcati [incar- 
cerati] p fide Jhu x* a paganis Johni Plat et Constancie ux* sue 
saltm et sincam in duo caritatem. Cum i p'vilegiis apticis p sac°- 
sanctum sedm apticam nob et ordini nri p'dicto ab antics tempib3 
indultis et p eandem eoctm de novo canoice cofirmatis que cetfa 
qdm spaba 9 tineant indulta 9 tinere sbsequentf Dinib3 v*e pec- 
cantib3 & cofess qui adsu fee n tacie3 dci ordis man 9 vorrexPint' 
adint'ees sex anos & octoginta dies de 1 mota peia relaxim 9 . Eciam 
cocedim 9 q oes cofratres et cosorores dci ordis qui dedmt c'tam 

p [? porcionem] honor* suor* et annuati frat'b3 v'l nu ars 

eiusdem ordis bnficia q soPint possint S elig'e annuati frat , b3 VI 
nnors eiusdem ordis bnficia p sol'it possint S elig'e annuati ydoneu 
p'sb'um cu cofessore qui eor* c5fessionib3 diFget 9 auditis eis p 
comiss peia i pende valeat salutare n talia sint pp que sedes apfrca 

EE 



210 APPENDIX. 

sat iuxta cosut de se qUib) cosuet habit se^psum Rich6 frat' nuatis 
& eidm sepult'am ecia facit no neque co qcuqj morte moriat' n 
noiata sint excoit 9 . Si quis bnfactor infra ann moriat* de 0103 
pccatis suis ve* ootcis & cdfess' est de nra gra spali absolut 9 ca° de 
abusionib3 no obstante. Nos vre devocois qua fratf nctati dicti 
ordis timtic postulate macipari s'viciu cosid'antes afft'm tos in 
cofratre & cosorore n'ri ordis te nove p'sonam aute nob indulta 
admHam 9 & cois dun 9 ve' dictis & aliis p'vilegiis nri ordis o5fratib} 
emseru indultis scdm forma & essenc eordm libe p finam vroX 
max ad saltm. Adiam 9 Isup vofc bnficiu dco gra spati p cu in nro 
coventuali ca° rey obitum vrum p'sonem fca Pint exhibico trar 
eadm p vofc fiet comendaco que p fratb} nris defunctis ibm fieri 
cosvent. In cui 9 rei testimon sigillu nrm p'sentib3 e appensu. 
Dat' domo nro p'dicto anno dni Millmo cccc 1 vj* . 

[Endorsed :] Aucte dei pris oipotete & bedr Sci Petfi & Pauli 
aptor ei 9 de aucto tot? mat'is ecclie & papal indulgecie m* in hac 
pte 9 missa ego absolvo te ab 0103 pecat' tuis oblif de quib3 velles 
9 fiteri si tue occurrerent memorie & semel in vita de oib3 casibj 
sedi aptice quomodolibt* reservatf & de quib3 sedes ipa cet' incite 
9 sulenda. Aucte dni pape pii secudi absolvo te eciam articto 
mortf plena remissione omiu pecor* tuor' in qntu claves ecclie se 
extednt aucte ista^ trar 9 apticar 9 tibi do & 9 cedo in noie p'ris &c. 

28. — Sciant presentes & futuri q d nos Cnstancia nup uxor 
Johis Platte & Ricus Platte filius & heres p'dict Johis & Cnstancie 
dedim 9 concessim 9 & hac presenti carta nra indentaf confirmavim 9 
Wiftmo Addeshede de Mamcestr* unm burgagiu nrm jacens in le 
Milnegate infra villam de Mamce$tre int' tenement 9 Johis Brad- 
ford ex una pte & tenement' p'dtet Rici modo in tenura uxis Nichi 
Shelm'dyn ex ait'a parte & continens in longitudine ab alta via 
ue% ad aquam de Irke quod quid'm burgagiu modo est in tenura 
p'dicti Willi Addeshed. Hend & Tenend p'dict' burgagiu cu 



APPENDIX. 211 

omib3 comoditatib} libtatib3 & aliis suis p'tin p'fat Wittmo here- 
dib} & assignat' suis imppetuu. Reddendo inde annuati nobis 
p'fat 1 Cnstanc & Rico heredib} & assignat' nfis septem solidos 
legalis monete Anglie ad ffesta Natalis Dni & Nat' Sancti JohTs 
Bapf p equales porciones, et capif Dnis feodi itt annuati duodecim 
denar' ad ffest' diet' ville de Mamcestr' visitatf & con suet". Et si 
contingat dictf reddit' septem solidor* a ret esse in pte vel in toto 
ad aliquod ffest' quo solvi debeat & p viginti dies extunc px se- 
quent' tunc bene liceat nobis p'fat Cnstan? & Rico heredib3 & 
assignatf nris in diet' burgagio distringe & districciones sic capt' 
abduce asportare effugare impcare & penes nos retinere quousq > de 
p'dict, reddit' cum arreragiis eiusd'm sique faint plenar* fu'imus 
satisffact'. Et si contingat diet 1 reddit' septem solidor' a ret esse 
in pte vel in toto ad aliquod ffest' quo solvi debeat & p quadra- 
ginta dies extunc px sequent' et sufficiens districcio in diet' 
burgag inveniri non pot'it tunc bene liceat nobis p'dictf Cnstancie 
& Rico heredibus & assignat' nris in diet' burgagiu cum ptin 
reintr a re rehabere & in pristino statu retiner' hac carta & seisina 
inde hit in aliquo non obstanf . Et nos vero p'dict' Cnstanc & 
Ricus & heredes nostri p'dictf burgagiu cum omnibus libfatib3 
fraunchesiis & aliis eius ptin p'fat Wittmo heredibus & assignat' 
suis in forma p'dict' contra omes gentes warrantizabimus acquie- 
tabim 9 & imppetuum defendmus. Et ult'ius noVitis nos p'fat' 
Cnstancia & Ricum attornasse & in loco nro posuisse dilectm 
nobis in xpo Thoma Bradford capellanu ac vicariu collegii de 
Mamcestre & Henricum Leylond fideles attornat' nros con ti & di" 
ad deliband pro nobis fc noib} nris p'fat' Willmo plenam & paci- 
ficam possessions & -eeisinam de & in p'dict' burgagiu cu ptin 
s'cdm vim' forma & effcm p'sent' carte nre indentat' rat' & grat' 
hent & hiftir' quicquid iidm attornat' nri noie nro fecint seu eor* 
alt' fecit in p'missis. In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte nre 
indentaf sigilla nra apposuim 9 hiis testibus Thoma Olgreve, Johe 



212 APPENDIX. 

Rudde, Johe Bradford, Radalpho Prowdeluffe, laurencio Holme 
& aliis. Datf duodecimo <lie Augusti anno regni regis Henrici 
septimi post oonquestum Anglie qointo. 

29. — This endenture made betwene Bofct Mascy son & heire of 
Edward Mascy gentilman Cnstance late the wiff of John Platte 
and Bio* Platte his son opon that one ptie, and Laurence Kyrk- 
halgh of Manchester opon that oy r ptie, — Wittenessith that the 
said Laurence granntes by thes p'sentes to wedde and take to wiff 
Cnstance Mascy sust r of the said Bofet afor the ffest of Saynt 
Bartholomew next to come aft T the date herof if the said Cnstance 
Mascy will then aggree, ffor the which the said Bofet Mascy 
guntes to pay or cause to be paied to the said Laurence or his 
assignes xiiij mrcs of leale money of Englond in man' & forme 
folowyng, that is to witte yerely xiij 8 iiij d at the ffestes of the 
nativite of Saynt John the Baptist & the birthe of oure Lord by 
even porcions duryng x yeres unto such tyme as the said x mrcs 
be fully content & paied. And the saides Cnstance late the wiff of 
John Platte & Bio* Platte graunte by thes p'sentes that the said 
Laurence shall have & yerely recyve xxvj B viij d of such temTtes as 
yai have assigned hym within the towne of Mamchestr* duryng 
the t'me of v yeres next suying the date herof, that is to witte 
unto the tyme the said Laurence have receyved of the said 
temf tes x mrcs, and ov*r this the said Rob? Mascy grauntes by 
thes p'sentes that he shall make or cause to be made a sure and a 
lawfull astate of all the londes and tenementes, rentes, revisions & 
s'vices w* yaire appurtennce that the said Bob? now has or stondes 
seased of or may have or stonde seased of within the counties of 
Lancastr* & Chests or oy r places within the realmes of England 
or Irland to iij certen psons by the said Bob? Mascy & Laurence 
to be named, To have and to holde to the said certen psons yaire 
heires & yaire assignes to th' entente that the saides feoffees shall 



APPENDIX. 213 

make or cause to be made a sufficiant & a lawfull astate to the 
said Bob? Mascy & to the heires of his bodie lawfully begetten of 
all the saides londes & tenementes, rentes, revisions & s'vices w* 
yaire appurtennce. And if it happen the said Rob? Mascy w*oute 
heires of his bodie lawfully begetten to discesse that then all the 
said londes & tentes, rentes, revisions & s'vice imediatly aft r the 
discesse of the said Bob? shall descende, rev^te, remayn or come 
to the said Cnstance Mascy sust r of the said Bob? & to the heires 
of hir bodie lawfully begetten, dower or dowers of wiff or wiffes of 
the said Bob? alwayes except; and for defaute of heires of the 
said Cnstance, that then all the said londes, tenementes, rentes, 
revisions & s'vices, except before excepted, to remayn to the right 
heires of the said Rob't for ev' ; and thes astates to be made afor 
the ffest of the nativite of Saynt John the Baptist next to come 
aftr' the date herof. Also the said Bob? grauntes that he & ij 
sufficiant p'sons w* hym shall be bounden to the said Laurence by 
yaire obligacion of C m°rc, which obligacon shall have such con- 
dicon that if the said Bob? opon his ptie well Ss truly holde, kepe 
& pforme all man' of grauntes & covnntes comprised in thes 
endentures, that then that obligacion be voide & elles to stonde 
in strength & effect. In witenesse wherof to thes p'sent enden- 
tures the pties aforsaid ent'chaungeably have sett yaire seales, 
thes wittenesse Bitf Bexwik th* elder, Henr* Leylond, Bog > Sonde- 
forth & oy w . Yeven the xxiiij* 11 day of July the yere of the regne 
of Kyng Henr' the vij* aft' the conquest of Englond the ix*. 

80. — Sciant presentes et futuri q d ego Johes Piatt de Byss- 
hulme in com Lane, gen'os' dedi concessi et hac pnti carta mea 
indentat' confirmavi Jahanne Lawrance relict' Jacobi Lawrance 
nup de Mamcest' defunct' duo messuag' sive tent nuc in sepaHt>3 
tenuris sive occupatidb} Margaret' relief Edmundi Duncuthley et 
Badulphi Duncuthley in Bisshulm in com Lancast' predicf et duas 



214 APPENDIX. 

clausuras sive p'cellas terr 1 vocat 1 Hallefelde et Brucfelde nuc in 
tenura sive occupacoe mei predict 1 Johis Piatt Habend et tenend 
omia et singla predict* messuag 1 tfras et tenta ac alta premiss' cu 
oib3 et singiis suis ptinen prefate Jahane Lawrance et assignaf 
suis p t'mno vite ipius Jahane in noie totios dotis et junctor* 
eidm Jahane contingent. Et ego vero p'dict Johes Piatt et hered 1 
mei omia predict messuag sive tenta cu duabus clausur* sive 
pcellis terre predict 1 ac cetfa premissa cu suis ptin 1 prefaf Jahanne 
Lawrence durant 1 tota vita naturali ipius Jahanne in forma pre- 
dict" cout* oes gentes warantizabim 9 et imppetm defendem 9 p 
presentes. Ac insup sciatis me prefat 1 Johem Piatt attornasse 
deputasse et in loco meo posuisse dilectos michi in Chrd Thoma 
Jackeson et Radulphu Birche de Ma^est 1 meos veros et legittimos 
attornat con m et di m an intrand p me et in noie meo in oia et 
singla predict 1 messuag terr 1 et tent ac cet'a premiss 1 cu oib) et 
singKs suis ptia. Et post talem ingress 1 inde p me et in noie meo 
plena et pacifica possession^ et seisina prefat 1 Jahanne Lawrance 
ad deliberand 1 s m vim forma et effectu hujus p'ntis carte mee 
indentat 1 ei confect Bat et grat 1 hent et habitur 1 totu et quicquid 
ent 1 attornat 1 mei noie meo feclnt seu eoru alt 1 fecit in premiasis. 
In cujus rei test™ huic present 1 carte mee indentat 1 sigillu meu 
apposui. Dat 1 tercio die Junij anno regni Edwardi Sexti Dei gra 
Anglie ffrauncie et Hib'nie regis fidei defensoris ac in tfris sub xpo 
ecclie Anglica et Hibemie an'dict* capitis supremi primo. 

31. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Johes Plate de Byssholme 
in com Lane 1 gen'osus p cert' causis me moventib}, dedi concessi 
et hac p'senti carta mea indentat 1 confirmavi Wittmo Plate filio 
meo juniori quandatn messuag' sive pcella terre jacent 1 sive exist- 
ent 1 in Bysholme p'dict' in com p'dict 1 que extendit unu acru et 
dimidiu terre vocat 1 the Crofte sup Ryssholme Grene et nuc in 
tenur 1 et occupacoe mei pMct Johi Plate, Head et Tend pMict 



APPENDIX. 215 

messuagiu sive pcella terre cu omib} et singfrs suis ptin p'fat 
Wiihno et assignat' suis durante vita ipius Wittmi. Reddendo 
inde annuatim michi p'dict Johi hered et assignat' meis unu 
granu pepi ad festu natalis dni si petit p omib3 reditt et s'vic 
pviso semp q d p'dict Willm 9 Platte fecit s'viciu suu ad p'dict' 
Johem Plate et hered suos tamdiu p'fat' Willm 9 Platte & assignat' 
suis habuerit sive occupaverit p'dict mesuag' sive pcella terre, et 
si p'fat Willm 9 negat facer' s'viciu suu ad p'dict Johem et hered 
suis q d tunc bene licebit michi p'dict' Johi Platte hered et as- 
signat' meis in p'dict' messuagiu sive pcella terre cu ptin rehere 
[? rehabere] et in p'stino statu nro ea retinere hanc psenti carta 
indentat' et seisina inde delibat' ulla modo non obstant'. Et ego 
vero pTat Johes Plate & hered mei omia p'dict' messuag' sive 
pcella terre cu omib} et singtis suis ptin p'fat Wiihno Platte et 
assignat' suis cont a omes gentes warrantizabim 9 et defendem 9 
imppetuu p p'sentes. Ac insup sciant me pfaf Johem Piatt 
atto r nasse deputasse et in loco me posuisse dilect' michi in xpo 
Richardu Platte seniore et Johe P'cevalt meos veros et legittimos 
attornat' conjunctim et divisim ad intrandu p me et in noie meo 
in p'dicf messuagia sive pcella terre cu ptin. Et post talem in- 
gressu inde p me et in noie meo plena et pacifica possessione et 
seisina p'faf Wiihno Platte ad deliband scdm vim forma et eflfecf 
huj 9 psentis carte mee indentate inde ei confect' raf et graf hent 
et hitur' totii et quicquid diet' atto'naf me noie meo fecnt seu eor* 
alf fecif in pmissis. In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic psenti carte mee 
indentat' sigillu meu apposui. Daf decimo tercio die Augusti 
anno regni regis Edwardi sexti Dei gra' Anglie firancie et Hiber- 
nie regis fidei defensoris et in terr' ecclie Anglicane et Hibernie 
sup'mi capitis secudo. 

32. — This indentur made the viij^ daye of Marche in the sext 
yer' of the reigne of our Sav'aign lorde Edward the sext by the 



216 APPENDIX. 

grace of God Kyng of England ffrannce & Ireland defendo r of the 
faithe and of the Chnrche of England and also of Ireland in erthe 
the supme hede — betwen Rauff Hunt of Chorleton in the pyisahe / 
of Mancliestr* in the countye of Lane' husbandman apon the one 
ptye, and Rychard Platte son & heyr apparinte of Jhon Platte of 
Ryssholme in the seid pisshe & countye gentf apon the other ptye 
— wittenessithe that the seid Rauff Hunt for a certen some of 
good & lawfull money of England to hym fully payd before the 
date of thes psentes by the forseid Rychard Platte haithe by the 
lycence consent & agrement by the Ryght Wourshipfull Jhon 
Bothe of Barton in the countye aforseid esquier & landlord to the 
seid Rauff Hunt haith dymysed granted sette betaken & to ferme 
letten & by thes psentes dothe dymyse grnnte sette betake & to 
ferme lette to the seid Rychard Platte one close called lyttle Shote 
conteynyng three acres & a halfe lyeng in Chorleton afforseid 
pcell of the tenement whyche one Margaret Hunt wydowe late 
wyffe of Jhon Hunte disceased & the seid Rauffe Hunt have & 
hold of the seid Jhon Bothe as temites at wylle to the same Jhon, 
To have & to hold the seid close w* th'apptennces to the seid 
Rychard Platte & hys assignes from the daye of the dysceasse of 
the seid Margaret Hunt wydowe duryng the tfme & space of sex 
yeres next aftr" immedyatly folloyng the same daye of the discease 
of the seid Margaret & fully to be complete fynysshed & endet 
w*oute lette or impediment of the seid Rauff Hunt hys wyffe 
chyldren executors admynystrators or assignes or of any of them 
duryng the seid t'me yeildyng & paying therfore yerely aft 1 the 
dyscease of the seid Margaret Hunt to the seid Rauffe Hunt hys 
executors or assignes one pepercorne at the feaste of Penthecoste 
if it be lawfully asked and demaunded for all rentes s'vyces & 
demaundes to the seid close belongyng duryng the t'me aforseid. 
In wittenes wherof the ptyes afforseid to thies psentes indentures 
interchnngeablye have sette ther sealles the daye & yer* fyrste 
above wrytten. 



APPENDIX. 217 

33. — This indenture made the ffourthe daie of Marche in the 
ffirste yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne ladie Mary by the 
grace of God of Englannde firannce and Irelande quene deffender 
of the ffaythe and in earthe next under God the supreame heade 
of the churche of Englannde and also of Irelannde — betwene 
Johane Piatt wydowe late wiffe of John Piatt in the countie of 
Lane' gent, deceased upon th'on partie, and Hie? Platte sonne and 
heir of the said John Piatt aforsaid gent, upon th'other partie — 
wittenessith that the said Johane ffor dyvers and soundrye good 
reasonable causes & consideracons in the daie of the date hereof 
her speciallye moving have demysed graunted sett betaken and to 
ferme letten and by these presentes indenture dothe demyse, 
graunte, sett, betake and to ferme lett unto the said Richard Piatt 
too messuages or tenementes now or late in the severall tenures or 
occupacons of Margarete late wiffe of Edmound Duncuthley and 
Bauffe Duncuthley in Bysshulme aforsaid and also too closes or 
parcels of ground called Hall ffelde and Brucke ffelde now or late 
in the tenure or occupacon of John Piatt aforsaid deceassed, To 
have and to holde all and singuler comodities easementes liberties 
proffettes and advantages to the same appertaynyng or in any 
wyse belonginge to the said Bichard Plat his heirs executours or 
assignes ymmediatlye next after the daie of the date hereof unto 
th'ende and terme and during all the tyme and t'me of the liffe 
naturall of the said Johane Plat widow and during all suche terme 
title and interest as she hathe in too or upon the same or in to 
and upon every part or parcell thereof, yelding and paying therfor 
yerelie unto the said Johane Piatt widow or her assignes the some 
of ffoure markes thre shillinges ffoure pense of good and lawfull 
money of Englannd at too feastes or termes in the yere, that is to 
saie at in or upon the ffeaste daye of Sainct John Bap to xxviij* 
iiij d , and at in or upon the feaste daye of the birthe of o* Lord 
Jesu Christe other xxviij 8 iiij d by even porcons, fforseing alwayes 



218 APPENDIX. 

and it is of both the said parties covnted and agreed that the 
firste payment shall comense & beginn at the ffeaste of Sainct 
John Bap to next ensuyng the daie of the date hereof. And if it 
happen the said yerelie rent of iiij merkes iij 8 iiij d or any part or 
parcell thereof to be behinde unpaid in part or in all by the space 
of fiburtie dayes at any or anther of the said ffeastes at w** yt 
ought to be paid at, then yt shalbe lawfall to and for the said 
Johane Flatt widow or her assignes to entre in, have agayne and 
repossede the said too messuages or tentes and the said too percels 
of ground and all other the premysses with th'appurteniices, and 
in her former or ffirst estate to stande, any thing or thinges herein 
conteyned or specyfied to the contrary made in any wise notwith- . 
standing. In wytnesse whereof to these present indentures the 
parties aforsaid enterchangeable have setto thair seales the daye 
and yere ffirste above wryten. 

34. — Devotis & in xpo sibi dilectf RycherS Plate & Annes firat' 
Matheus Evys p'or covent? frm ordinis P'dicato^ Cestr* licet 
indignus saltm & augmentu cotinuu celestiu gra^ exigente v*re 
devocois affectu que ad nrm hetf ordinem & coventu yobis omi 
missa^ oronu p'dicacdm jeiunio^ abstinecia* vigilia* labor 9 cetor 
bonor 1 que p fres nri covent 9 Dns fieri dederit univ'sos pticipacone 
cocedo tenore p'sencm spale in vita pit" [pariter] et in morte. 
Volo insup et ordino vt post decess 9 v*ros aie v're firm tociu 9 
covent? oronib3 recomendent r in nro conventuali capitulo si v'ri 
ibidm obit 9 fuerint nuciati & immigant r p ipis misse et orones sic 4 
p frib) nris & ajnycis deffunctf fieri cosuevyt. In cui 9 cocessiois 
testimoniu sigittm officii mei psentib3 e? appensu. Daf Cestrie in 
festo purifficacio 8 beate Marie anno Dni m°ccccc° quigentesimo v°. 

Seal : Bed wax, vesica-shaped, bearing two priestly figures, much 

defaced. Legend, also defaced : sigillum p&ioris pre . . . ica 

[Predicatorum.] 



APPENDIX. 219 

35. — To all trew Christen people to whome thes prentes shall 
come. John Hnnte of the parrishe of Mamch r in the countye of 
Lancastre comonly called John Hunte of the ffieldes or blake 
stake, husbandman, sendethe gretinge. Whereas I have and 
holde one mease or tenemente withe th'appurtenanncS commonly 
called Hnntes of the ffielde or Blake Stake, set, stahdinge, lyenge 
and beinge in the parrishe of Manch r in the countye of Lancastre 
now in the holdinge of me the said John Hunte and myne assignes 
for and duringe the tyme and terme of xxi^ yeres of the demyse 
and graunte of the worshipfull John Boothe of Barton in the 
countye of Lancastre esquier as by a writinge or dede indented 
thereof made beringe date the xvij th daye of Auguste in the thrid 
yere of the raingne of the Queries mooste excellent maiestie that 
nowe ys more at large yt may appeare : Enow ye me the said 
John Hunte for dyvers and sundre good reasonable causes and 
consideracons me in this behalff esspecially movinge, to have 
geven, grannted, surrendered, assigne and sett overr unto Margaret 
Platte doughter of Bicharde Platte of Rissheholme in the countye 
of Lancastre gent, all my right, tytle, estate, use, possession, 
dame and demaunde what so ever whiche I have in and to the 
saide mease or tenemente withe th'appurtnnces or in or to any 
parte or pcell thereof, or hereafter shall and maye have or of right 
owe to have in and to the same, To have and to holde enioy and 
occupie all and singuler as well the saide mease or tenemente 
withe th'appurtennces and every parte & parcell thereof and all 
my right, tytle, estate, use, possession, clame and demaunde what 
so ever w ch I have or hereafter shall and maye have or of right' 
owe to have in and to the same or in or to any parte or pcell 
therof, as also the said lease or writtinge indented to the said 
Margaret Piatt and her assignes duringe the tyme and terme of 
so many yeres as are yet to come unexpired mencyoned in the 
said lease or writinge indented, without let, varyance, sute, troble, 



220 APPENDIX. 

striffe, debate, disturbance, ympedyment or agaynesainge of me 
the said John Hunte my executours, admynystratours or assignes 
or any of us or any other pson or psons for us or in our names by 
our willes, consent or abetement in eny maner. In witnes where- 
of I the said John Hunte have caused this to be made, and have 
putto my seale and signed the same withe my hande the xix^ daye 
of Aprill in the twelthe yere of the raingne of our soveraingne 
Ladie Elizabethe by the grace of God of England ffraunce and 
Irelande Quene, deffendo* of the faythe &c. 

36. — Sciant p'sentf et futur* quod nos Ricus Piatt de Piatt in 
com Lancastr' gen. et Johes Piatt Alius et heres apparens p'd 
Rici pro et in consideracone cujusdam maritag' in posterm habend 
et celebrand inter me p'd Johem Piatt ex una p'te et Elizabetham 
Birche filiam Thome Birche de Hindley Birche in com p'd gen. ex 
altera p'te. Dedimus, concessimus et hac p'senti charta nra in- 
dentata confirmavimus p'd Elizabethe Birche omia ilia messuagia 
terras tents reddit' s'vic et hereditamets cii p'tin in Withington 
vulgariter vocat' et nuncupat' le Haull fielde continent 9 in se p 
estimacoem qumq> acras et dimid' acr" terre duas clausur 9 terre et 
pasture vocat' Brocke fielde continent' in se p estimacoem sex 
acras et dimid' acr* terre, pratu sive clausur' terre et pasture 
vocatf le Middope cu pHin continent' in se p estimacoem una roda 
terre et tent cu suis p'tinen' modo in tenura et occupacoe Wittmi 
Piatt fratris p'dci Rici et assignator 9 suor' existeu' parcett heredi- 
tament' p'd Rici necnon rev'coem et recedes omniu et singior 
pmissor 9 cu primo et proxime accidere et evenire contiger\ 
Habend et Tenend oia et singta p'd messuagia terras, tent, reddif , 
s'vic' et hereditamet ac cetera quecu^ p'missa cu suis ptin et 
rev'coem ac rev'coes eorndem cu acciderint p'fat Elizabethe Birche 
et assignatis suis pro terino vite sue et durante toto termino vite 
naturalis p'd Elizabethe Birche abs% impetude alicujus vasti pro 



APPENDIX. 221 

et in noie totius jucture sue. Et nos vero p'd Ricus et Johes Flatt 
et heredes nri omia et singta p'd messuagia, terras, tent, reddit', 
s'vic et hereditament' ac cetera quecuq> p'missa cu suis p'tin ac 
reVcoem et recedes eorndem p'fat Elizabethe Birche et assignatis 
suis pro termio vite sue et durante toto termio vite naturalis p'd 
Elizabethe Birche pro et in noie totius juncture sue contra omes 
holes warrantizabimus et imppetuu defendemus p psentes. In 
cuius rei testimoniu ptes supradict' sigilla sua alternatim psentibus 
apposuerunt. Data xv° die Decembris anno regni dne nre Eliza- 
bethe Dei gra' Anglie ffrauncie et Hibernie regine fidei defensor' 
&c. decimo nono. 

37. — Lane. Inquisico indentata apud Wiggan in com Lane. 
Decimo die Septembris anno regni dne nre Elizabeth dei gra 
Anglie ffrauncie et Hibnie regine fidei defensor 9 &c. tricessimo 
quinto coram Thoma Hesketh ar' escaetor dne regine com sui 
pallantini Lane, Robfo Filkington aro feodar/ dee dne regine com 
pred' Jacobo Woorthington et Rado Haghtone gener* virtute 
comissionis dee dne regine in natura Bris [Brevis] de diem clit 
[clausit] extremu pred' comissionar' et aliis direct' et huic inqui- 
sicoi annexat' ad inquirend' post mortem Richi Piatt gen. defunct' 
p sacrm Thome Lane ari, Robti Hindley gener., Rogeri Bradshawe 
gen., Johis Dewhurste gen., Thome Markland gen., Willi Ascrofte 
gen., Milonis Gerrard gen. et Thome Tarlton gen. Qui dicunt 
sup sacrtn suu q d Richardus Flatt in dicta comissione noiat die 
ante obitu suu fait seiftis in dnico suo ut de feodo de et in uno 
mess' viginti octo acr* terr* duobus aci^ prati decern acr' pastur* cu 
ptin Rysheholme in Wythington in dco com Lane', ac de et in 
uno burgagio et uno gardino cu p'tin in Manchester in com pred. 
Et sic inde sei? existens pred Richus Flatt die ante obitu suu p 
chartam sua indentata geren' dat decimo quinto die Decembris 
anno regni dee dne regine decimo nono, dedit et concessit cuidam 



222 APPENDIX. 

Elizabethe Piatt vidue nup uxjor* Johis Piatt defunct 1 p nomen 

Elizabethe Birche cem acr* terr* prati et pastur* cu ptin 

in Rysheholme pred' pcett premissor* Heud et Tend pred' Eliza- 
bethe p terminu vite sue que quidem Elizabetha adhuc superstea 
est et in plena vita existit vi} apud Risheholme pred in com pred. 
Et ulterius jurator* pred dicunt q d pred Richus Piatt sic de p'dicf 
mess' terr* et tentis sei? existed quarto die Augusti anno Dni 
1590 condidit et constituit ultima voluntate sua inscript' et sigillo 
ipius Rici sigillat' et p eandem voluntatem dedit et concessit 
Issabell Piatt uxor* pred 9 Rich! Piatt unu cotagiu et quatuor 
decern acr' terr > prati et pastur* et unu croft contin' p estimacoem 
dimid acr' cu ptin in Rysheholme ali' pceft premissor*, Hend et 
Tenend pred Elizabeth [sic] p termin' vite sue put p pred volun- 
tate j orator' pdict* sup capcoem hujus inquisicois in evidenc osten' 
plenius liquet et apparet, que quidem Issabella adhuc superstes est 
et in plena vita existit vi3 apud Rysheholme pred in com p r d. Et 
j orator es ulterius dicunt q d pred messuag' terr* et tehta cu snis 
p'tin in Rysheholme pred tenent r et tempore mortis pred Richi 
tenebant r de dna regina ut de nap hospitali Sci Johis Jreiem in 
Anglia p annual reddit* quatuor solid et reddendo ad mortem 
cujoscunck tenentis ejusdem terraru p'tem catellor* mobiliu ejus- 
dem tenentis p omib} servic', et valent p ann in oib3 exitib} ultra 
reprisas vigint' sex solid et octo denar\ Et quod pdict mess' 
burgag' et gardin' cu suis p'tin in Manchester pred in com pred 
tenentur et tempore mortis p'd Richardi tenebant* de dno de 
Manchester in socagio p reddit' de duodece denar' p omib3 servic* 
et valent p ann in oib3 exitibus ultra reprisas ij 8 . Et q d pred 
Richus Piatt in dca comissione noiat obiit de tali statu ut p'fertur 
seilius scdo die Junii ultim preterit'. Et q d Edmundus Piatt est 
filius et heres pred Richardi et est etatis die capcois hujus inquisi- 
cois octo annor* octo mensiu et viginti septem dier\ Et ulterius 
juratores dicunt q d pred Richus Piatt dca comissione noiat nulla 



APPENDIX. 223 

alia sive plura messuag' terra tenta aut hereditamenta huit sea 
tenuit de dca dna regina nee de aliquibus aliis p'sonis in em?o 
revercoe nee in servico dicto die quo obiit in dco com Lancr* aliter 
q'm ut sup' diet' est. In cujus rei testimoniu uni p'ti hujus inqui- 
sicois tarn p r fat comissionar' q'm jurator' pred sigilla sua apposu- 
erunt alter 9 vero p'ti hujus inquisicois penes p'fat jiirator' remanen' 
p'fat comiss* sigilla sua apposuerunt. Datu die anno et loco primo 
suprad. 

Family of Birch. 

{pp. 70-104.; 

1. — Sciant psentes et futuri quod ego Matheus filius Mathei 
de Hav'sage concessi et confirmavi Matheo filio Mathei de Byrchis 
et heredib} suis tota t'ram de Hyndley Byrchis pro homag* et 
s^vicio suo ; videlicet infra has devisas Incipiendo ad magna 
fossam, deinde ex transverso usque ad devisas del Plat, et deinde 
aput Aquilonem usque in Gorbroke ; assendendo fluvium aque de 
Gorbroke usque ad vadu de Russeford et deinde sequendo le 
Matregate usque ad magna fossam, et sequendo magna fossam 
usque ad di visas del Plat. Et sciend' est q d p'dictus Matheus 
quietus erit de pannageo in nemore meo de Wythyngton de omni- 
bus porcis suis et molet bladum suum hopurfre ad omnes molend' 
meos sine multura infra feodu de Wythyngton. Tenend et Ha- 
bend sibi et heredib3 suis de me et heredib} meis in feodo et in 
hereditate libe quiete pacifice integre in boscis in planis in pasturis 
in moris in aquis in exitibus in introitibus et in oib} aliis aysia- 
mentis et libertatib} ad villam de Wythyngton ptinent\ Reddendo 
inde annuatim michi et heredib} meis tres solidos argenti de se et 
heredib3 suis pro omnib} serviciis exacconib3 consuetudinib} vide- 
licet xviij denar' ad Annunciationem Beate Marie et xviij denar* 
ad festu Beati Michaelis. Et ego pfat' Matheus et heredes mei 



224 APPENDIX. 

istam confirmacoem dicto Matheo et heredibua suis contra omnes 
homines et feminas imppetuum warrantizabimus et defendemus. 
Et ut hec mea concessio et cdfirmaco rata et stabilis imppetuum 
p'maneat huic psenti scripto sigillu meum apposui hiis testib} 
Domino Galfrido de Chetham, Ad'de Buri, Wiftmo Doly militib}, 
Roberto de Burii, Rychardo de Trafford, Rob' de Redyche, Wittmo 
de Heyton, Rycho de Chorleton, Witto de Dudusbury, Thoma de 
Barlowe et aliis. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir J. W. H. Anson, 
Bart. 

2. — Oib3 xpi fidelity &c. Roblius fii Alexi del Birchis saltm in 
dno. Noverit' me remisisse &c. Robfo fii Henr* de Trafford et 
hedb} suis totum jus et clamiu que unquam hui in molendino del 
Birches q d idem Robfas fii p'dcti Henr* huit ex dimissione Alex? 
del Birches pris mei simul cu una domo una acre tfre juxta p'dcm 
erat cu stagnis attachmentis stagnor* piscar* sectis molendini cu 
sufficient' cursu aque p pipas et fossata ad d'ctum molendinu cu 
refullo aque infra divisas del Birches in longitudine et latitudine 
ad voluntatem p'dco Roblio fii Henr* cu sufficient place t're ad 
ventiland commoda blad' dco molendino cu suffic' via infra divisas 
del Birches ad cariand' blad' ad dct molend' cu equis vel qualiter- 
cunq> venientes et ad recariand' sine impedimento alicuf hiis 
testib3 Rico de Byron, Henr* de Trafford militib}, Rico de Hulton, 
Johe de Asshton, Johe de Hulton, Wiihno de Moston, Galfrido 
de Hulm, Nicho de Wirkesworthe clico et aliis. Datf ap d Trafford 
die Sci Oswaldi reg* anno regni regis Edwardi fii regis Edwardi 
sexto decimo. — Trafford Evidences, Lane. M88. 

8. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Robfas fii Alexand' del 
Birchis dedi concessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Johi de 
Hulton heredib} et assignatis suis omes terras meas et ten mea in 
le Birchis in villa de Withinton cu edificiis et cu omib} boscis et 



APPENDIX. % 225 

jf tis et cu rev'coe omniu t'rar et ten bSci et jTti que qdm Johanna 
9 dam ux Alexand' del Birchis tenet in dotem cu accident. Hend 
et Tend p'dco Johi heredib} et assignatis suis de doo capitali feod* 
illi 9 p s'vicia inde debita et consueta libe et quiete cu omib} lib'ta- 
tib} et ptin p'dcis t'ris et ten ubic^ ptiu. Et ego v° p'dcs RobEs 
et heredes mei omes p'dcas t'ras et ten cu edificiis boacis et p*tis 
et cu rev*coe p'dce dotis in omib} sicut p'dcm &c. p'dco Johi here- 
dib3 et assignatis suis 9 ta omes gentes waranti3abim 9 et imppetuu 
deffendem'. In cuj 9 rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte sigillu meu 
apposui hiis testib} Math? de Haydoc sen de Salford, Rico de 
Holond, Henr* de Par, Henr' de Bmches, Galfiid de Strangwas, 
Henr > de Wytfeld, Wilio clico et aliis. Datf ap d le Birchis die 
Jovis px an fin nat 8 Johis Baptis' anno regni regis Edwardi fii 
regis Edwardi duodecimo. ■*•- Birch Evidences, penes Sir J. W. H. 
Anson, Bart. 

4k — Hec indentura testat' q d Johes de Hulton dedit concessit 
et hac psenti carta sua confirmavit Robto del Birchis omes tfras 
et ten que p'dcs Johes huit de dono et feofamento p'dci Robti del 
Birchis in villa de Wythyngton cu oibj suis ptin sii aliquo retene- 
mento videlj cu edificiis et cu oib} gardinis boscis et pis et unu 
molendinu aqHicu et cu rev'eoe omn t'rar* et ten bosci et p*ti que 
Joha 9 dam ux Alexand del Birchis tenet in dotem cu accident, 
Hend et Tenend p'dco Robto ad tota vita sua de capital^ dnis 
feodi illius p s'vicia q ad p'dca ten ptinent ad tota vita ipi 9 Robfi 
et post decessum ipi 9 Robti oia p'dca ten cu ptin integre remaneat 
Henries' filio p'dict' Robti de Birchis, Tend et Hend p'dco Henr 9 
et heredib3 de corpore suo pcreatf de capitalib} dnis feodi illi 9 p 
s'vicia que ad p'dca ten ptinent imppetuum. Et si p'dcs Henr* 
obierit an hered de corpe suo pcreatf tunc post decessum ip? 
Henr* omia p'dca ten cu ptin integ 6 remaneant heredib3 int' p'dcm 



226 APPENDIX. 

Robfrn et Alicia uxm sua fil Henr* de Wytfeld pcreaf Hend et 
Tend sibi et heredib} suis de corpib} suis pcreaf de capitalib} dnis 
feod illi 9 p sMc 9 que ad dca ten ptinent imppetaum. Et si p'dci 
her 7 obierint sn heredb} de corpib} suis pcreaf tunc post decessum 
pdcor hered omia p'dca ten cu ptin integ 6 remaneant rectis here- 
dib} Alexand del Birchis, Tend et Hend de capitalib} dnis feod' 
illi 9 p s'vicia que ad p'dca ten ptinent imppetuum. Et p't'ea p'des 
Johes concessit omia ten cu ptin que Joha que fuit ux Alexandr' 
del Birchis tenuit in dotem de hereditate ipr 7 Johis in p'dca villa 
die quo h carta condita fuit et que post decessum ipr* Johne ad 
p'fatu Johem de Hulton rev'ti deberent integ' remaneat p'dco 
Henr* et hered de corpe suo pcreaf tend de capitalib} dnis feodi 
illi 9 p s'vicia que ad p'dca ten ptinet imppetuu. Et si p'dct Henr' 
obierit sn hered de corpe suo pcreaf tunc post decessum ip? 
Henr' p'dca ten cu ptin integ' remaneant heredib} inf p'dcos 
Robfum et Alicia pcreaf Tend et Hend de capitalib} dnis feod' 
ill? p s'vicia que ad p'dca ten ptinet imppetuu. Et si p'dci hered 
obierint sn heredib} de corpib} suis pcreaf tunc post decessum 
p'dicor' hered omia p'dca ten integ' remaneant rectis heredib} 
Alexand del Birchis ut p'dem est, Tend simul cu duab} ptib} 
p'dicor' ten de capitalib} dnis feod' illi 9 p s'vic' que ad p'dca ten 
ptinet. Et p'des Johes et hered sui waranti}abim 9 p'dca ten cu 
ptin p'dco Robfo ad tota vita suam, et ecia p'dco Henr 1 et heredib} 
de corpe suo pcreaf ut p'dem est, et ecia heredib} inf p'dcos 
Roblum et Alicia pcreaf ut p'dem est, et ecia rectis heredib} 
Alexandr' de Birchis si p'dci hered obierint sine heredib} de 
corpib} suis pcreaf cont* omes hoies imppetuu. In cu? rei testi- 
moniu pti huj 9 carte penes p'dem Johem residenf p'dcus Robfus 
sigillu suu apposuit, alf i v° p'ti penes p'dem Rotrfm residenf p'des 
Johes sigillu suu apposuit, hiis testib} Matheo de Haydoc sen de 
Salford, Rico de Holand, Henr 9 de Par, Henr' de Bruchis, Galfrid' 



APPENDIX. 227 

de Strangwas, Henr* de Wytfeld, Witto clico et aliis. Datf apud 
le Birchis die Sabat' px post fm Ap'lor Petri et Pauli anno regni 
regis Edwardi fil regis Edward' duodecimo. — Birch Evidences, 
penes Sir J. W. H. Anson, Bart. 

5. — Nov'int univ'si p psentes me Wiftm del Birches del Birches 
attornasse et in loco meo posuisse dilectos michi in xpo Johem de 
Bamford et WiHm del Plat de Bisshnm coniuncti et divisi ad 
liband' p me et noie meo Rico Whiteacres et Johi le Wright 
capellanis plena et pacifica seisina in omib} messuag 9 t'ris et ten 
reddtis et s'viciis meis cu ptin in villa de Wythyngton scdm vrm 
forma et effectu cuiusdam carte mee eisdm Rico et Johi le Wright 
hedib} et assign' suis inde confectf put in eadm continetf ratf et 
conraf hent et netu^ quidquid Johes de Bamford et Wills del 
Plat noie meo fecmt vel aJtf eor* noie meo fecit in p'miss\ In 
cuius rei testimoniu p'sentib} sigillu meu apposui. Dat' die 
Martis px ante festum See Marie Magdalene anno regni regis 
Henrici Sexti post conquestu Angl septimo. — Birch Evidences, 
penes Sir J. W. H. Anson, Bart. 

6. — Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Wills del Birches del Birches 
dedi concessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Rico de Whit- 
acres et Johi de Wright capellanis hedib} et assign' suis omia 
messuag* t'ras et ten redditus et servicia mea cu ptin in villa de 
Wythyngton, Hend et Tend omia p'dict' messuag' t'r et ten red- 
ditus et servicia cu ptin Rico et Johi hedib} et assign' suis imppetuu 
de capitalib} dnis feodi illius p servicia inde debita et de iure con- 
suef . Et ego vero p'dict' Witts et hedes mei omia p'dict' mesuag' 
f ra8 et ten redditus et s'vicia cu ptin p'dcis Rico et Johi hedib3 et 
assign suis contra omes gentes waranti3abim 9 et imppetuu defend- 
em 9 . In cu? rei testimoniu huic p'senti carte mee sigillu meu 



228 APPENDIX. 

apposui hiis testib} Johe de Barlawe, Jacobo de Prestwich, Johe 
de Chetam, Johe del Slade, Hug" del Slade et aliis. Daf apud le 
Birches die Martis px ante festu See Marie Magdalene anno regni 
regis Henrici Sexti post conquestum Anglie septimo. 



Sciant psentes et fnturi q d nos Ricus de Whitacres et Johes le 
Wright capellani dedim 9 concessim 9 et hac psenti carta nra in- 
dentaf confinnavim 9 Witto del Birches del Birches et Margaref 
nxi eins omia ilia mesuag' t'ras et ten reddif et s'Vicia cu ptin in 
villa de Wythyngton que nnp huim 9 ex dono et concessione p r dci 
Willi, Hend et Tend omia p'dca mesuag' t'ras et ten reddif et 
s'vicia cu ptin p'dcis Witto et Margarete ad f minm vite eor*, ita 
q d post decessum p'dcor' Willi et Margarete volum? concedim? q d 
omia p'dicf mesuag' t'ras et ten reddit' et s'vicia cu ptin integre 
remaneant Radulpho fil p'dicor' Willi et Margaret' et hedib} mas- 
culis de corpore suo legitime pcreat, Hend et Tend omia p'dicf 
mesuag' t'ras et ten reddit' et s'vicia cu ptin p'dicf Radulpho et 
hedib} mascul' de corpore suo legitime pcreaf, tend de capif dnis 
feodi illius p s'vicia inde debit 1 et de iure consuet'. Et si contin- 
gat p'dicf Radulphum sine hede mascul' de corpore suo legitime 
pcreaf obire tunc volum? et concedim 9 q d omia p'dicf mesuag* 
f ras et ten redditus s'vic' cu ptin integre remaneant Robfo fratri 
p'dcti Radi et hedib} masculis de corpore suo legitime pcreaf. 
Et si contingat p'dicf Robfiim sine hede mascul' de corpore suo 
legitime pcreaf obire tunc volum 9 et concedim 9 q d omia p'dicf 
mesuag' t'ras et ten reddif et s'vicia cu ptin integre remaneant 
Edmudo fratri p'dci Robti et hedib} masculis de corpore suo legi- 
time pcreaf. Et si contingat p'dicf Edraudu sine hede mascul' 
de corpore suo legitime pcreaf obire tunc volum 9 et concedim 9 q d 



APPENDIX. 229 

omia p'dict' mesuag* t'ras et ten reddit' et sMcia cu ptin integre 
remaneant Thome fratri pdcti Edmudi et hedib} masculis de cor- 
pore suo legitime pcreat' obire tunc volum 9 et concedim 9 q d omia 
p'dict' mesuag' t'ras et ten reddit' et s'vicia cu ptin integre re- 
maneant et revHant rectis hedib3 p'dcti WihH imppetuu. Et nos 
vero p¥at' Ricus et Jones et hedes nri omia p'dctf mesuag' t'ras et 
ten reddit' et s'vic cu ptin p'dctis Witto et Margarete ad terminu 
vite eor', ac ecia p'dict' Radulpho, Roberto, Edmudo et Thome ac 
ecia rectis hedib3 p'dcti cu accideret ut p'dcm est contra omes 
gentes waranti3abim 9 et imppetuu defendemus. In cui 9 rei testi- 
monial huic p'senti carte nre indentate sigilla nra apposuim 9 hiis 
testib} Johe de Barlawe, Jacobo de Prestwich, Witto del Plat, 
Johe del Slade, Hug' del Slade et aliis. Dat' apud le Birches die 
Mercurij px post festum Sci Jacobi Apti anno regni regis Henrici 
Sexti post conquestum Anglie septimo. — Birch Evidences, penes 
Sir J. W. H. Anson, Bart. 

7. — Sciant p'sentes et futuri q d ego Radus Byrches dedi cdcessi 
et hao psenti carta mea confirmayi Johi fferro r capellano omia 
mesuagia t'ras tenta reddit 9 et servicia mea cu ptin in Wythyngton 
et alibi in com Lancastr', Hend et Tend omia p'dca mesuagia 
t'ras tenta reddit" et servicia cu ptin p'fat' Johi heredib3 et assign' 
suis de dno capitali p servic' inde debit' et cousuet' imppetuu. Et 
ego p'dict' Radus et heredes mei oia p'dict' mesuag' t'ras tenta 
reddit' et servic' cu ptin p'fat' Johi heredib3 et assignat' suis 
contra omes gentes waranti3abim 9 . In cui 9 rei testimoniu huic 
psenti carte mee sigillu mee apposui hiis testib} Roberto Workesley 
armig'o, Thurstano Tildesley, Wiftmo Hilton et aliis. Dat' vi- 
cesimo die Junij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post conquestu 
Anglie vicesimo septimo: 



280 APPENDIX. 

Sciant psentes et futuri q d ego Johes fferro* capellanus dimisi, 
tradidi et hac p'senti carta mea indetata delibavi Rado Byrches 
oia mesuagia tVas et tent cu ptin que fuerut p'dicti Rad! in villa 
de Wythyngton et alibi in com Lancastr* que quidm mesuagia 
t'ras et teiita nup habui raichi heredib} et assignatis meis p cartam 
diet' RadT, Hend et Tend omia p'dict' mesuagia terras et teiita cu 
ptin p'fat' Rado et heredib3 de corpe suo legitie pcreatis remanere 
eo^dm t'nc diet' Rado et rectis heredib} suis. In cui 9 rei testimon 
huic carte mee indentat' sigillu meu apposui hiis testib} Robfo 
Workesley armig'o, Thurstano Tildesley, Wittmo Hilton et aliis. 
Dat' vicesimo p'mo die Junij anno regni regis Henrici Sexti post 
conquestu Anglie vicesimo septimo. — Birch Evidences^ penes Sir 
J. W. H. Anson, Bart. 

8. — Sciant psentes et ffuturi q d ego Wittms Byrches de Byrches 
dedi concessi et hac psenti carta mea confirmavi Robfo Byrches 
filio meo duas p'cellas terr' iacent' in le Byrches p'dict' continent' 
duodecim acras terr* int' Michewall Diche ex pte australi et unu 
mesuag' vocat' Wynnerhey ex pte boreali put includentur p sepes 
et limites et modo in tenura p'dict' Wittm, Habend et Tenend 
p'dicf p'ceit terr' cu ornib} suis ptin p'fat' Robfo ad terminu vite 
sue Ita q d post decessum p'fat Robti p'dict p'cett terr' continent' 
duodecim acras terr' cu omib} suis ptin integre remaneant rectis 
hered mascul' mei p'dict Wiftmi imppetuu de capit' dnis feod' 
illi 9 p s'vic' inde debit' et de iure consuet'. Et ego vero p'fat' 
Wittmus et hered mei p'dicf duodecem acras terr' cu ptin p'fat 
Robfo durante vita sua cont' omes gentes warranti3abim 9 et de- 
fendemus p p'sentes. Et ult'ius nov'itis me p'fat Wittm attor- 
nasse et in loco meo posuisse dilect' michi in xpo Thoma Walker 
de Diddisburie meu veru legitimu attornat' ad delifcand p me et 
in noTe meo p'fat Robto plenam et pacifica possession^ et seisina 



APPENDIX. 231 

de et in p'dict' pcett terr' continent' duodecem acras terr* et cu 
omib} suis ptin scdm vera forma et effectu pyelitis carte mee rat' 
et conratf hent et hetur' et quicquid idm attornat' meus noie meo 
fecerit in p'miss. In cu? rei testimoniu sigillu meu apposui hiis 
testib3 Henric Longford armig*, Wiifano Bradford capello, Rico 
Bomford, Oeorgio Rediche, Thoraa ffletcher et multis aliis. Dat' 
p'mo die mensis Marcii anno regni regis Ricardi t'cii post con- 
quest' Anglie secudo. — Birch Evidences, penes Sir J. W. H. 
Anson, Bart. 



Families of Slade of Slade and Siddall of Slade. 

(pp. 121-136.; 

1. — Notu sit omnib} scriptam visuris vel audituris q d ego Thom. 
fii Galf. fit Luc de Mamecestr' concessi et hac presenti carta mea 
confirmavi Jordano fri meo et hedib3 suis p bomagio et s'vicio suo 
totam t'ram q m Galf. pater meus sibi dedit in Didisford et Milke- 
wallslade, et unam acram prati in Banereris et totam tVam q 
pr mens tenuit in Akedone, Tenend et Habend de me et hedib3 
meis sibi et hedib3 suis libe et quiete in feodo et liereditate cu 
omib3 lib?atib3 et cleam'tis d'tis t'ris ptin. Reddendo et faciendo 
8ervicium tarn dnis capitalib} q m m 1 in omib3 et p omia sic 9 tinet' 
in carta q m idem Jord h't de p'dicto Galf. patre meo. In cuj 9 rei 
testimoniu huic scpto sigillu meu apposui, hiis testib3 Dno Galf. 
tuc Dec. Mam, Ad. [or W°] de Hulton, Matho de Birch, Wiito 
le Norreis, Robfo filio Sym. Mamecestr', Rio' de Honeford, Witto 
de Didisb'y, Johe clico at aliis. 

2, — Sciant presentes et futuri q d ego Noel de Loggeford dedi 
et 9 cessi et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi de me et hedib3 



232 APPENDIX. 

meis Jordano filio Oalfridi filio Luco de Mamecestr* et hedib} suis 
tota tfram mea q m Ric Ridehorn tenebat de me ad fern in terri- 
torio de Didisbury, Tendam et Habenda in feodo et heditate libe 
et q^te et integre cu omib} 9 munib3 aisiamentis et libertatib} infra 
divisas ville de Withingtun et Didisbury ptinentib3 cu exitib} et 
serviciis, Reddo annnatim mihi et hedib} meis de se et hedib} suis 
q'ndm [quindecim] den arg ad duas anni t'ios scil septe den ob ad 
festu Sci Michael et septem den arg ob ad Annuncionis See Marie 
p oib3 serviciis 9 suetudinib} et demand nob pertinent^. Et ego 
diet' Noel et heredes mei ista dcta t'ra cu libfatib} et aisiam'tis 
d'to Jord et hedib} suis sic 9 p'dem est 9 tra oes holes et feminas 
ippetum warenti3abim 9 . In cuj 9 testim' ut donaco mea rata et 
stabilis p'maneat huic scpto sigiti meu apposui hiis testib} Dno 
Galfrido de Schetha, Wiito de Hea, Ric' de Most', Matheo de 
Birch, Ric* de Honeford, Thorn de Barf, Henr* de Afford, Jord 
de Stokep t clico et aliis. 

8. — Sciant presentee et futuri q d ego Robfiis de Milkewalleslade 
dedi concessi et hac presenti carta mea coniirmavi Henr* fit Thorn' 
de Aynesworth unu messuagiu et omia t'ras et ten mea que hui 
die confeccionis p'sentf in Withynton, Hend et Tend p'dto Henr* 
hedib} et assignat' suis libe quiete bn et in pace cu libo introitu et 
exitu ad eadem et cu omi pasting omib3 averiis suis in omib} locis 
ville p'dte et cu omib} aliis libertatib} et asiament' pdtis ten ubiq> 
ptinentib} de capitalib} dnis feod* illo^ ten p s'vic que ad pdta ten 
ptinent imppetu. Et ego vero p'dict* Robtus et heres mei pdtu 
mesauag' et pdta t'ras et ten cu suis ptinent' et p'dtam coem 
pastur' p'dti Henr* hedib3 et assignatis suis contra omes gentes 
waranti3abim 9 et imppetu defendem 9 . In cuj 9 testimon' huic 
p'senti carte mee sigillii meu apposui, Hiis testib} Nicho de Long- 
ford chivaler, Qenr 7 de Tfford chivaler, Robto de Trafford, Thorn 



APPENDIX. 233 

de Trafford, Thorn del Holt, Robfo del Plat et Henr' fil RobH del 
Byrches. Dat' apud Withynton die Jovis px post fm t'nslacois 
SH Thorn Archiepi anno regni regis Edwardi t'cii post conquestum 
vicesimo t'cio. 

4. — Hec carta indentata testator q d Henr' fit Thome de Aynes- 
worth dedit concessit et hac presenti carta sua confirmavit Robfo 
de Milkewalleslade unum messuagium et omia t'ras et ten cu ptin 
que habuit de dono et feoffamento p'dti RobH in villa de Withyn- 
ton sine aliquo retenemento, Hend et Tend omia p'dta t'ras et ten 
cu ptin p'dto Robfo ad totam vita snam de capitalib} dnis feodi 
illius p servicia que ad p'dta t'ras et ten ptinent ad totam vitam 
ipius RobH; et post decessum ipius RobH omia p'dta t're et ten 
cum ptin integre remaneant Robfo fil RobH de Milkewalleslade 
juniori, Hend et Tend omia p'dta t'ras et ten cu ptin pdto Robfo 
fil RobH et hedib} de corpore suo legitime procreatis de capitalib} 
dnis feodi illius per servic' que ad p'dta t'ras et ten ptinent im- 
ppetuum. Et si pdtus Robfus fil RobH obierit sine herede de 
corpore suo legitie procreato tunc post decessum ipius RobH fit 
Robti omia p'dta t're &c. integre remaneant Johi fil RobH de 
Milkewalleslade fri p'dti Robti fil RobH, Hend et Tend omia pdta 
f ras &c. pdto Johi et hered de corpore suo legitie procreatis de 
capitalib} dnis feodi illius p servicia que ad pdta f ras &c. im- 
ppetuum. Et si pdtus Johes obierit sine herede &c. tunc post 
decessum ipius Johis omia pdta terre &c. integre remaneant here- 
dity int' pdtm Robfm de Milkewalleslade et Elena ux'em sua fil 
RobH del Plattes legitie procreatis, Hend et Tend omia p'dta t'ras 
&c. sibi et hedib} suis de corporib} suis legitie procreatis de capi- 
talib} dnis feodi illius p servicia que ad p'dta t'ras &c. ptinent 
imppetum. Et si ipi heredes obierint sine hered &c. tunc post 
decessum pdcor hered omia pdte f re &c. integre remaneant rectis 

HH 



284 APPENDIX. 

hered ipius Bobfi de Milkevralleslade Habend et Tenend de capi- 
talib} diiis fcodi illius p servic 9 que ad pdta t'ras &c. ptinent im- 
ppetuura. Et pdti Henr 9 et heredes sui pdtm messuagium &c. 
pdto Bobfo de Milkewalleslade ad totam vitam suam ut pdtm est 
[and in turn all the other contingent or reversionary grantees are 
warranted against all men for ever] contra omes hoies waranti}- 
abimus imppetuum. In cuj 9 rei testimonium ptib} huj 9 indent 9 
ptes alternatm sigilla sua apposuerunt, Hiis testib} Nicho de 
Longford chivaler, Henr 9 de Trafford chivaler, Bobfo de Trafford, 
Thoma de Trafford, Thoma del Holte, Bobfo del Piatt et Henr' 
fii Bobfi del Burches. Dat 9 apud Withynton die Ven 9 is px post 
f 'm Sci Jacobi Apti anno regni regis Edwarctttfcii post conquestm 
vicesimo t'cio regni vero sui ffrancie decimo. 

5. — Lane. Inquisitio indentata capt. apud Bolton in com. 
p'dict. vicesimo tercio die Septembris anno regni dne nre Eliz h &c. 
tricessimo. Coram Thoma Heskethe aro escaetor dne Begine in 
com p 9 dcto virtute Bris diet dne regine de diem clausit extrem 9 
eidem escaetor 9 direct et huicj?] inquisitionem consuet. p. m. Ed- 
wardi Syddall nup de Slade in com pMct in dicto brevi nolat p 
sacrum Petri Heywood gen., Alex Leyver gen., Bichi Leighe gen., 
Bichi Scocroft gen., Badi Greene gen., Bichi Wood gen., Badi 
Haughton gen., Henrici Hardi gen., Bobti Hardi gen., Badi 
Bridge gen., Oeorgii Allonson gen., Georgii Kenyon gen., Thome 
Kaye gen., Bobti Bavalde gen., Henrici Cheetam gen., W m Bam- 
forde gen., et Bobti Butterworthe gen. Qui dicunt sup sacrum 
suu q d dm ante obitum p 9 d Edwdi Syddall in B 9 vi p'dict noiat 
idem Edwdus &c. fuit seitus in dominico suo vel de feodo de et in 
uno capitalli messuagio sive tento vocat le Mylkwall Slade cu ptin 
& de et in quibusdam clausur 9 terr 9 continent 9 p estimacionem 
vigint quatuor acr, scituat 9 jacen 9 et existen 9 in Bisholme et With- 



APPENDIX. 285 

ington in com p'dto ; ac de et in quibusdam aliis clausing terr* et 
prati cum p'tin continen' p estimacoem yigint acr terr scituat &c. 
in Gorton &c., necnon de et in uno burgagio sive tento et una 
shopa cu ptin scituat &c. in Manch*; ac etiam de et in tertia pte 
manerii de Kerksawe alias diet Kerssall cu ptin in com p'dct ; ac 
de et it uno burgagio sive tent, duobus cottagiis tertia p'te unius 
molendini aquatici, tertia pte unius alii cottagii et trium acrarum 
terr; ac de et in tertia pte unius alii cottagii et unius gardini, et 
de et in quadraginta acr terr decern acr prati trigint acr pastur, 
quatuor acris bosci ac de tertia pte cujusdem vasti sive noie voeat' 
Kersall Woodde ais Kersall more, scituat &c. in Kersawe ats 
Kersall p'dct; ac de quodm libo reddit' duodecim denariorum 
annuat soulubil de quibusdam terris et tentis vocat Lees in pdchia 
de Oldham in com p'dt, ut pcell p'dt manerii de Kerksall ; ac de 
quodam alio libo reddit' iij* iiij d annuat solubil p quendam Bobt. 
Hobson ut p'cell ejusdem manerii de Keksall ; ac de quodam alio 
libo redd' quinque denariorum annuat solubil p Agnetem Lees ut 
pcell ejusdem manerii de Kerksall. Et idem Edwdus Syddall de 
p'dt manerib; messuagiis, terris &c. p quoddam scru suu indentat 
dedit et concessit oia et singula p'dt maneria &c. premissis qui- 
busdam ffeofatiS in p'dt facto indentato noiat ad usu p'dct Edwdi 
Sydall pro termino vite et post ejus decessum ad usu E h Syddall 
ad tunc uxor' p'dt Edwardi, et Georgii Syddall ad tunc filii et here 1 
apparen d'ti Edwdi Syddall in brevi p'dto noiat et hered masculo- 
rum de corpe pdti Georgii Mime procreand, et pro destfu t'lis 
exitus tunc ad opus et usu Thome Syddall filii junior' ejusdem 
Edwdi Syddall, in brevi p'dto noiat et hered masculorum &c. et 
pro dessitu &c. rectorura hered pM Edwdi Syddall, in bri &c. im- 
pptium, virtute cujus ac vigore cujusdam act' in p'liamento dni 
Henrici nup Regis Anglie anno regni sui vicesimo septimo de 
usibus in possessionem transferend nuper edit et pvi3us, iidem 



236 APPENDIX. 

HP 1 et Oeorgias post mortem p'dti Edwdi faerant sei? de oib} et 
singulis pdt maner mess'giis terris fee., vi} p'dt E h in domco suo 
ut de libo tento p term vite sue, et p'dt Georgius in domco suo ut 
de feod taliat. Et jurator' p'dt ulterius sup sacr' suu dicunt q d 
p'dtus Edwdus in br'i &c. sic inde sett: de oib} et singulis p'dt 
man) mess'giis terris &c. obiit de tali statu inde seitus apud Milk- 
wall Slade p'dict, decimo octavo die Februarii anno regni die dne 
regine tricesimo ; ac q d p'dtus Georgius Syddall est filius et prop 1 
heres ejusdem Edwdi in bri &c. et est etatis tempe capconis hujus 
inquisit' yiginti quinque annorum et amplius. Et ulterius jurat 9 
&c. dicunt q d p'dt mess'gii sive tent vocat' Milkwall Slade ac cetera 
p'miss in Risheolme et Withington p'dct Talent p annu in oib3 
exitib} ultra reprisis yiginti sex solid' octo denarior' ; Et q d p'dt 
terr 9 et tent in Gorton p'dt valent p annum in oib} &c. sexdecem 
solid' ; ac q d p'dt burgag* et shoppa in Manchester p'dt valet p 
annum in oib} &c. sex denarios, et q d p'dt tertia pars de manerio 
de Kerksawe alias Kerksall pMct valet p ann. in oib} &c. quatuor 
libras. Et ulterius juratores &c. dicunt q d p'dt messuag' sive tent 
vocat le Milkwall Slade et p'dt terr et tent in Risheholme et 
Withington p'dt, tenenf et tempore mortis ejusdem Edwdi Syd- 
dall in bri &c. tenebantur de Nicho Langford aro*p fidelitatem et 
reddit' duorum solid' et sex denariorum p annum pro oib} serviciis 
et demandis quibuscunque ; et q d p'dt terr et tent in Gorton p'dt 
et p'dt burgagium et shoppa in Manchester p'dt tenentur et tempe 
mortis &c. tenebantur de Johe Lacy aro dno de Manchester pro 
fidelitate tantum pro oib} serviciis &c. ; et q d p'dt tertia pars 
manerii de Kerksawe ats Kerksall ac ceter' premiss' in Kerksall 
p'di tenentur et tenebantur de dcta dna regina nunc in capite, vi3 
p duodecima p'te unius feod militis. Et ulterius p'dt juraf &c. 
dicunt q d p'dtus Edwdus Syddall in bri &c. nulla alia sive plura 
man' terr sive tent die obitus sue huit seu ten' in dnico vel in ser- 



APPENDIX. 237 

vicio pro ut jurator* p'd aliquo modo constare poterrim 9 . In cujus 

rei testim m uni p'ti hujus inquisicionis turn p'd escaetor quum p'dt 

jurator^ sigilla sua apposuerunt, alteri vero pti hujus inquisicionis 

penes p'fat jurat' remanent 9 p'd escaetor sigillum suum apposuit 

die et anno primo suprad'. 

Tho. Hesketh, Escaet. 

Endorsed : Delibert infra noiat Petro Hewood gen. qui primus 
jurat fuit in inquisitione p'dt vicesimo septimo die Septembris 
anno regni dee diie regine tricesimo secund' forma statu in hujus- 
modi casu provisus p me Thoma Hesketh, escaetor com p'dt. 

Tho. Hesketh, Escaet. 



INDEX. 



Abraham, John, 55. 

, Robert, 55. 

Addeshede, William, 210, 211. 

Adkinson, M*, 143. 

Adshead, William, 20. 

Ainsworth, Elizabeth, 153. 

, Henry, clerk, curate of Birch, 153, 

155. 
Alcooke, Joseph, 165. 
Alexander, John, 30. 
Allen, Joseph, 118. 

, Mary, 55. 

, Thomas, 54. 

Allonson, George, gent., 129, 234. 

Ambrose, Peter, gent., 94. 

Andrews, Bey. Robert, 169. 

Angier, Mr. John, of Denton, 60, 146. 

Annacotes, John de, 7, 186. 

Anson, Archibald Edward Harbord, 154. 

, George Henry Grerille, clerk, 154, 

155, 158. 
, John William Hamilton, Esq., 154, 

158, 160. 
, Sir John William Hamilton, Bart., 

104, 171, 183-188. 
Antrobus, Elizabeth, 107. 

, Peter, gent., 107. 

Arderne, John, 64. 

Ardwiok School endowed, 117. 

Arstindall, James, sen., 165. 

, James, iun., 166. 

Aacroft, William, gent., 21, 221. 
Ashton, James, Esq., 141. 
■ , John, gent., 88. 

, John, 182. 

, Sir John de, 206. 

— — , Robert, gent., 88. 

, ThomaB, 182. 

, William, clerk, rector of Prestwioh, 

70. 
Ashurst, William, Esq., 110. 



Ashworth, Dr. Caleb, 170. 
Assheton, Sir Ralph, 96. 
Asshton, John de, 180, 182, 224. 

, Robert de, 180, 182, 193. 

Aspinwall, George, 142. 

, Hezekiah, 165. 

Asselum, Hugh de, 183. 
Astley, Sir Jacob, 109. 
Aston, John, 132. 

, Robert de, 183. 

Aynesworthe, Alan de, 194, 195, 197. 

, Henry de, 232, 233, 234. 

, John de, 187, 197. 

, Thomas de, 194, 195, 197, 232, 233. 

Aynscough, Radley, clerk, fellow of Coll. 

church, Manchester, 153, 155. 
, Thomas, clerk, curate of Birch, 153. 

Baguley, Alice, 144. 

, Edward, 97, 142, 144. 

Bainbrige, Ann, 54. 
— , Sherwood, 54. 

, Thomas, clerk, 64. 

Bainbrig, Nicholas, 56. 

, Sarah, 65. 

, Thomas, 65. 

Baley, Nicholas, 142, 143. 
Bamford, Anne, 8, 77, 85. 

, Barton de, 7. 

, George, gent., 74. 

, Henry, gent., 88. 

, John de, 227. 

, John, Esq., 7, 77. 

, John, gent., 18, 74, 85, 188. 

, Robert, 142, 144. 

, Thomas, 142, 144. 

, Thomas, jun., 142. 

, William, gent., 129, 234. 

Baron, Raufe, 83. 
Bardesley, Robert, gent., 88. 
Bardsley, Robert, 36. 



240 



INDEX. 



Barlawe, Adam de, 201. 

, John de, 228, 229. 

, BadulphuB, 203. 

Barlow, Adam, 161, 165. 
— , Alexander, Esq., 141. 

, John, 41, 142, 144, 165. 

, Matthew, 144, 165. 

, Thomas de, 71, 224, 232. 

Barlowe, John de, 204. 

, Radulphus de, 204. 

, Roger de, 187, 189, 193, 195, 200. 

Barton, Nicholas, 37. 
Basset, Mr. William, 196, 197. 
Bathurst, Dr. R., 101. 
Baumfort, John de, 206. 
Bayley, Hannah, 11. 
— , John, 165. 

, Richard, 11* 
Beake, Peter, 54, 55. 
Bealey, James, 165. 
Beck, Marion, 72. 

, Thomas, gent., 72, 74. 

Becke, Nicholas, 83. 

, Rohert, 73. 

, Thomas, 83. 

Beech, Robert, 83. 

, Thomas, 83, 84. 

, William, 83, 84. 

Bekke, Maryon, 72, 73. 

, Thomas, 72, 73. 

Bellotte, Marie, 122-124. 

, Philippe, of Moreton, gent., 122. 

Bent, John, gent., 107. 

, Susanna, 107. 

Bentley, Mr., clerk, curate of Birch, 137, 

145, 154. 
Berry, Colonel, 43. 

, Major-General, 112. 

Beswick, John, 133. 
— , Miles, 8. 

, Eoger, 8. 

Bewicke, Robert, 83. 
Bewsicke, Roger, 143. 
Bexwic, Thomas, 187. 
Bexwik, Miles, 188. 

, Richard, 213. 

, Roger, 188. 

Bibby, John, 192, 193. 
Birch, Alexander, 142, 143. 

, Alice, 77, 79, 80 ; will of, 98, 99, 113. 

, Andrew, 98. 

, Anne, will of, 77, 86-89, 98, 133. 

, of Ardwiok, fcmily o£ 106-120. 

, Beatrix, 99. 



Birch, of Birch, family o£ 70-104. 
-, Deborah, 98, 102. 



-, Edmund, 85. 

-, Eliezer, 148, 163. 

-, Elizabeth, 21, 22, 77, 78, 88, 99, 



113, 115, 120, 152. 
— , EUena, 98. 

-, George, Esq., 8, 100, 151, 152. 



-, George, gent., 20, 86 ; will of, 87 ; 



inquisition of, 88-90, 133, 138, 139, 

160, 161. 

— Hall, description of, 97. 
— , Humphrey, 102, 104. 
— , James, 72, 85, 88. 

Colonel John, M.P., 96, 107 ; me- 



moir of, 108-114 ; joins the parliamen- 
tary army, 108 ; appointed to the com- 
mand of the Kentish regiment, ibid.; 
Sovernor of Bridgewater, ibid.-, elected 
LP. for Weobley, ibid.) lays siege to 
Bristol, ibid.; surprises and takes the 
city of Hereford, ibid.; of which city he 
is appointed governor, 109 ; protects 
Dr. Herbert Croft from violence in the 
cathedral of Hereford, ibid.; defeats a 
detachment of the royalists at Stow-on- 
the-Wold and takes prisoner Sir Jacob 
Astley, ibid.; summons Worcester to 
surrender to the parliament, ibid.; car- 
ries Bridgewater by storm, ibid.; storms 
Ludlow castle, Goodrich castle and Rag- 
land castle, ibid.; takes the solemn league 
and covenant, ibid.; resigns the governor- 
ship of Hereford, ibid.; collects troops 
for service in Ireland with the intention 
of accompanying them thither, 110, but 
is detained in England by symptoms of 
insubordination in the army, ibid.; re- 
ceives authority to prohibit the approach, 
towards London of General Fairfax and 
the army, and charged with the duty of 
putting the city in a posture of defence, 
ibid.; proceeds on an important state 
mission to the parliament of Scotland, 
and receives the thanks of the commons 
of England for his services, ibid.; ap- 
pointed high -steward of Leominster, 
ibid.; re-elected for Weobley, but se- 
cluded for his equivocal support of the 
Lord Protector, ibid.; thrown into pri- 
son by order of the governor of Here- 
ford as an enemy to the public peace, 
ibid.; but liberated after an incarceration 
of several months, 112 ; negotiates for 



INDEX. 



241 



the king's return, 113; re-elected for We- 
obley after the restoration, ibid.; com- 
missioned to superintend the disbanding 
of the army and navy, ibid,; chosen a 
member of the committee to enquire into 
the cause of the great fire in London, and 
deputed to bring in a bill for the rebuild- 
ing of the city, ibid.; his death, ibid ; 
family connexions, ibid.; monument in 
Weobley church, 114. 

Birch, John, of Ordsal, Esq., 113. 

, John, of Manchester, gent., will of 

115. 

, John, of Whitbourne, Esq., 108. 

, John, 85, 86, 142, 143. 

, John Peploe, Esq., 114. 

, John Wyrley, Esq., 102. 

— , Joyce, will of, 99. 

— , Major, 114. 

, Margaret, 148. 

, Martha, 148. 

, Mary, 98, 106, 113, 147, 148. 

, Matthew, 98, 232. 

, Matthew de, 70, 121, 231. 

, Peter, 98, 99. 

, Peter, D.D., memoir of, 100-102 ; 

will of, 102. 

, Raufe, 83. 

, Robert, 66, 72, 83, 84, 121. 

, Robert, clerk, fellow of ColL church, 

Manchester, 77-79, 81. 

, Robert, of Grindlow, gent., 138. 

, Robert, clerk, curate of Birch, will 

of, 147, 154. 

, Samuel, gent., 106; will of, ibid, 114. 

, Samuel, 107, 115-120. 

, Samuel, of Whitbourne, Esq., 113. 

, Major-General Samuel, 120. 

, Sarah, 113. 

, Sybil, 102. 

, Thomas, Esq., 120, 171. 

-, Thomas, of Higher Ardwick, will of, 



115-119. 

— , Thomas, 9, 75, 83-86, 88, 98-100, 
113, 115, 116, 118-120, 138, 142, 143, 
171. 

— , Thomas, olerk, 72, 107, 113. 
— , Mr. Thomas, gent., 11, 22,76 ; mar- 
riage-covenant, 77 ; will of, 78-81, 85, 
152. 
-, Colonel Thomas, M.P., 87, 89 ; me- 



moir o£ 90-98 ; enters the parliamen- 
tary army, 90; collision with Lord 
Strange, ibid.; success before Preston, 



91 ; seises upon Lancaster, ibid.; named 
as one of the committee of sequestration 
for Lancashire, ibid.; appointed governor 
of Liverpool, ibid.; elected to represent 
Liverpool in parliament, ibid.; frustrates 
for a time the benevolent intentions of 
Humphrey Ohetham the founder, 91-93 ; 
forcibly attempts to seize upon the re- 
venues of the cnuroh of Manchester, 98; 
submits to parliament a proposition for 
strengthening the garrison of Liverpool, 
94 ; compasses thedeath of Lord Strange, 
ibid.} storms the castle of Rushin and 
Peter castle, and summons the Countess 
of Derby (Lady Strange) to surrender 
the Isle of Man to the use of parliament, 
95 ; the island given up to Col. Birch, and 
the countess and her ohildren conveyed 
as prisoners to Liverpool, ibid.; re-elected 
for Liverpool, but not permitted to take 
his seat by the Lord Protector, ibid.; 
again elected in the parliament summon- 
ed by Richard Cromwell, ibid.; entrust- 
ed by parliament with the dismantling 
of the castle of Liverpool, 96 ; defeats 
Sir George Booth near North wioh, ibid.; 
his death, 97 ; family connexions, 98, 
108, 133, 138, 139, 141, 149, 160. 

Birche, William, 30, 72, 77-80, 83, 85, 86, 
88, 99, 100, 121, 142, 144, 152, 165. 

, William, clerk, warden of Manches- 
ter, 73-75; his ordination by Bishop 
Ridley, 81 ; nominated chaplain to King 
Edward VI., ibid.; appointed warden of 
the Coll. church, Manchester, ibid.; re- 
signs the wardenship, and retires to the 
rectory of Stanhope, ibid.; his will, 81- 
85. 

, M rU Anne, 143. 

, Elizabeth, 220-222. 

, George, 9, 72, 77-83, 85-87, 98, 99, 

113, 115-120. 

, Maryon, 75, 76. 

, Mr., minister, 161. 

, Radulphus, 214. 

, Sir Thomas, priest, 74. 

, Thomas, 220. 

Birches, Alexander del, 71, 187. 

, Edmund del, 72, 228, 229. 

, Henry del, 71, 200. 

, Margaret del, 72, 228, 229. 

. Matthew del, 71. 

, Ralph del, 72, 209, 228, 229. 

, Robert del, 71, 72, 200, 228, 229. 

1 1 



242 



INDEX. 



Birches, Thomas del, 72, 228, 229. 

, William del, 71, 227, 228, 229. 

Birchis, Alexander del, 224-226. 

, Henry del, 225. 

, Johanna del, 225, 226. 

, Robert del, 224-226. 

Biri, Adam de, 179. 

Birnm, Robert de, 184. 

Bland, Sir John, Bart., 153. 

Blayney, Rowland, clerk, curate of Birch, 

158, 155, 156. 
Blomiley, Arnold, 80. 

, Elizabeth, 144 

— , George, 144 

, Widow, 142. 

^— , William, 144 

Blundell, Mr., 91. 

Boardman, Mr. Alexander, 161, 165. 

f Robert, gent., 41. 

Boden, James, 148. 
Bold, Peter, Esq., 41, 42. 
Bolder, William, 203. 
Bolton, Alice, 25. 

market, value of toll in 1653, 50. 

, Thomas, 25. 

Bomford, Riohard, 231. 
Bondini, Riohard de, 192. 
Booker, Peter, 51. 
Booth, Captain, 91. 

, Elizabeth, 27. 

, Sir George, 96. 

-> John, 27, 37, 49. 

, Martha, 27. 

, Mary, 27, 49, 61. 

, Sarah, 27. 

Bordman, Richard, 144 

, Widow, 142, 144, 165. 

Bosedon, Richard de, 194, 1§5. 

, Thomas de, 194, 196. 

Boston, Robert, 208. 

Bothe, Alexander del, 16, 191, 196, 197. 

, Ellen del, 16. 

, Right Worshipful John, Esq., of 

Barton, 216, 219. 

, William del, 16, 196> 197. 

Bouker, Dorothy, 66. 

, James, 143. 

, Jane, 66. 

, Robert, 144. 

, Widow, 143. 

Boulton, Alice, 26. 

, Thomas, 25, 26. 

Bowker, Robert, 142. 
Bracebrigge, Galfridus de, 180, 181. 



Bradford, John, 20, 210, 212. 

, John, the martyr, 20. 

, Thomas, vicar of the college of Man- 
chester, 20, 211. 

, William, oapellanus, 231. 
Bradshaw, Anne, 26. 

, John, 138, 143. 

, Miles, 66. 

, Richard, 36. 

, Robert, 142, 144. 

, Robert, the elder, 163. 

, Roger, gent., 21, 221. 

Bradshaw, Thomas, gent., 88. 

, Widow, 142, 165. 

, William, 142. 

Braybon, Richard, 201. 
Breckhill, Thomas, 165. 
Brereton, Sir William, 109. 
Breton, Richard, 189. 
Briddock, Ralph, gent., 41. 
Bridge, Ralph, gent., 129, 234. 
Briset, Jordan, Knt., 13. 
Briskoe, Mr., 38. 
Brook, Robert, 144. 
Brooke, Alice, 98. 

, Thomas, Esq., 98. 

Broome, Henry, 142. 

, Robert, 143. 

, Thomas, 29. 

Browhill, William, 88, 84. 
Browne, Thomas, 97. 
Brownehill, William, 80. 
Brownsword, Ciceley, 25, 36. 

, John, 25, 62, 67. 

Broxupp, John, gent, 41. 
Bruches, Henry de, 226, 226. 
Buckley, Arthur, gent., 41. 

, George, gent., 88. 

Burches, Henry del, 234. 

, Robert del, 234. 

Buri, Sir Adam de, 224 
Burdsell, John, 37. 
Burnhill, Peter de, 181. 
Burtche, Thomas, 73. 

, William, 73. 

Burton, Daniel, 165. 
Burunn, Henry de, 181. 

, Riohard de, 181. 

, Robert de, 181, 184, 224. 

Bury, Adam de, 71, 192. 
— , Richard, gent., 88. 
Butler, Major, 43. 
Buterworth, Captain, 36. 
Butterworth, Edward, 92. 



I 



INDEX. 



243 



Butterworth, Ralph, gent., 88. 

, Robert, gent., 129, 234. 

, Mr. Thomas, 161. 

Buxton, Michael, 41. 
Bybby, Richard, 203. 
Byrche, Amies, 73, 75. 

, Elizabeth, 73, 75. 

, George, marriage-oovenant o£ 72, 

73 ; will of, 74-76. 

, James, 76, 77. 

, Jennet, 73, 75, 77, 79, 80. 

— , Margaret, 73, 75. 

, Thomas, 73, 78. 

, Thomas, gent., 8, 9, 73, 127. 

, William, 72, 73. 

Byrches, Alexander del, 186. 
— , Henry de, clericus, 187. 

, Henry del, 233. 

, Matthew de, 7, 187, 223. 

, Radulphus de, 229, 230. 

, Robert, 209, 230, 283. 

, William del, 204, 205, 230. 

ByTom, Edward, gent., 41. 
Byron, Lord, 45. 

, Sir Richard de, 180, 182, 224. 

, Robert de, 71. 

Cardinel, Nicholas de, 190. 
Carill, Hannah, 67. 

, John, Esq., 67. 

Chadirton, Galfridus de, 180, 181. 

, Roger de, 197. 

Chadwick, Ellis, 87. 

, John, gent., 88. 

, Robert, 86. 

Chapman, John, 116, 118, 119. 
Checkley, Rev. George, 170. 
Chester, John, constable of, 190. 

, Bishop of (Dr. Chadderton), 137. 

, Bishop of (Dr. Gastrell), 137. 

, Bishop of (Dr. Peploe), 116. 

, Bishop of (Dr. Sumner), 159, 160. 

Chetham, Mr. Edward, 139. 

, Elizabeth, 77. 

, Sir Geoffirey de, 71, 224. 

, Geoffrey de, 184, 185, 192. 

, Henry, gent., 129. 

, Humphrey, Esq., the founder, 91-93. 

, Mr. James, 80. 

, John de, 228. 

, John of Nuthurst, Esq., 77. 

Cholrton, Thomas de, 187. 
Chorleton, Robert de, 197, 200, 201. 
, Thomas, 74. 



Chorlton, John, clerk, 11. 

, Richard de, 71. 

, Thomas de, 186. 

Cissor, John de, of Manchester, 5, 192. 

, Matthew de, of Manchester, 5, 182. 

Clarke, Alice, 25. 

, George, the founder, 25, 27. 

Claxton, Elizabeth, 54, 55. 
— , Haxnond, gent., 64, 55. 

, Paulina, 55. 

, Susan, 55. 

Clayden, Jordan de, 197. 

Cleybume, William, B.D., prebendary of 

Ripon, 73. 
Cliffe, Deborah, 61. 
Clowes, Thomas, 118. 
Cobden, Richard, Esq., 172. 
Colayn, Robert, capeUanus, 202-204. 
Colliar, Thomas, 165. 
Constable, Sir William, 47. 
Constantino, Mr., clerk, 64. 
Conventicle act enforced at Biroh, 148. 
Coppocke, John, 165. 
Corporation act, 149. 
Cotton, Beatrix, 99, 152. 

, Philip, Esq., 99. 

, William, Esq., 99. 

Couper, Lieutenant, 49. 
Cowper, Ralph, 138. 
Croft, Dr. Herbert, 109. 
Crompton, Henry de, 202. 
Crosse, William del, 202. 
Croxton, George, 104. 
Culcheth, Mr. Thomas, 62. 
Cundall, Maister, of Ripon, 73. 

Dalby, Henry de, 190. 

Dale, Joseph, clerk, curate of Biroh, 152, 

155. 
Dalton, Richard, 82, 84. 
Davenport, Sir Humphrey, 11. 
-, Katharine, 9. 



, Robert, gent., 9. 
Davie, John, 144. 

, Mary, 142, 144. 

, William, 201. 

Davies, John, 98. 
Dawson, John, 27. 

, Widow, 165. 

Deacon, Robert, 189. 
Deane, Alice, 113. 

, Esther, 63. 

, Mr., 56, 68. 

, Thomas, 113. 



244 



INDEX. 



Delves, Mr., 62. 

Denison, Joseph, Esq., 172. 

Denton, Roger de, 187. 

Derick, Mr. James Macduff, 156. 

Derby, Countess of (Charlotte de la Tre- 

mouille) 95. 
, Earl of (Charles Stanley, 8th earl 

of), 96. 
— , Earl of (Ferrars), 2. 
, Earl of (James Stanley, 7th earl 

of), 94, 95. 
Desborough, General, 48. 
Dewhurst, John, gent., 21, 221. 
Dicconson, John, 9. 
Dickanson, John, 165. 
Dickenson, Alice, 166. 
, Henry, gent., 41. 

, Mr. John, 104, 140, 141, 163-166. 

, John, of Lerenshulme, abstract of 

will, 166-168. 

, Miss Mary, 141. 

, Mary, 166. 

, Miss, 104. 

, Robert, 166. 

, Thomas, gent., 41. 

Diokonson, Margaret, 144. 

, Robert, 143. 

, Widow, 142. 

Diddesb' Jordan de, 189. 
Diddesbnry, William de, 191. 
Didesbur*, William de, 179. 
DidisVy, William de, 231. 
Didsbury, William de, 71, 121. 
Digle, William, 132. 
Dikonson, John, 142, 143. 
Doddridge, Dr., 169. 
Dolfinus, William, 189. 
Doly, Sir William, 71, 224. 
Duckenfield, Captain William, 94. 
Dudusbury, William de, 224. 
Dugard, George, clerk, curate of Birch, 

154, 155. 
Dukinfield, Anne, 88, 89. 

, Colonel, 95. 

, Francis, gent., 86, 88, 89. 

Dun Daren, Mr. Daniel, of Warrington, 146. 

, Elizabeth, 146. 

Duncuthley, Edmund, 21, 213, 217. 

, Margaret, 21, 213, 217. 

, Ralph, 213, 217. 

Dyconson, John, 9. 
— — , Richard, 9. 

Eaton, Mr., 38. 



Edge, Anne, 11, 97, 138. 

, Captain, 10, 171. 

, Ebenezer, 11, 161, 163. 

— , Hannah, 11. 

, John, 11. 

, Katharine, 11. 

, Mary, 11. 

, Mr., 161, 166. 



-, Oliver, 10; will of, 11, 188, 143, 160. 
-, Captain Oliyer, will o£ 11. 
-, Thomas, 11. 



Edmundson, Alonia, 17. 

, Geoffrey, 17, 201, 202. 

, John, 17, 201. 

Egerton, Peter, 92. 

, Wilbraham, Esq., 171. 

Elcooke, Thomas, 165. 
England, John, 144. 
Entwissell, Alexander, Esq., 10. 
Eyys, Matthew, prior of Chester, 218. 

Fairfax, Ferdinando Lord, 91. 

, Sir Thomas, 108, 110. 

Fallowfield, Jordan de, 6, 7. 

, William de, 6,7. 

ffalwefeld, Jordan de, 186. 

, William de, 186. 

Farneworke, Adam de, 184, 191, 192. 
Farneworth, Adam de, 15, 191, 192. 

, Richard de, 16, 192, 193. 

, Robert de, 15, 192, 193. 

Farrington, Captain, 91. 

, Mr., 90. 

Faulkner, John, 41. 
ffawfeld, Jordan de, 185. 
ffawfeld, William de, 185, 
Fell, Dr. John, 100, 101. 

, Thomas, 92. 

Ferneley, Adam de, 17. 

, Robert de, 17. 

Fernilegh, Adam do, 198, 199. 

, Robert de, 198, 199. 

Ferror, John, capellanus, 229, 230. 
Finch, Elizabeth, 151. 

, Hannah, 151. 

, Henry, clerk, curate of Birch, 11, 

139, 149-151, 155, 160, 161, 165, 168. 

, James, 161. 

, John, the elder, 163. 

, Mr., 64. 

-, Nathan, 151. 



— — , Nicholas, 161. 
Fleetcroft, Robert, gent., 41. 
Fleetwood, Mr. Richard, 91. 



INDEX. 



245 



Fletcher, Elizabeth, 166. 

, George, 166. 

, John, 165. 

, Martha, 64. 

, Mrs., of Lerenahulme, 168. 

, Baph, 32. 

— , Biohard, 165. 
-, Thomas, 231. 



Ford, Alexander, gent., 26. 

, Isabel, 26. 

, William, gent., 26. 

Foulks, John, 100. 
Frost, Walter, Esq., 96. 
Fytheler, John le, 201. 
, William le, 201. 

Galfridus, dean of Manchester, 231. 
Gardner, Elizabeth, 117-119. 

, Thomas, 116-119. 

Garnett, John, 165. 
Garside, Joane, 38. 
Gartside, Adam, 182. 
GauYYen, John, 208. 
Gaythorne, Anne, 11. 

, John, 11. 

, Thomas, 11. 

Geast, Nicholas, 103. 
Gee, Elizabeth, 25. 

, George, olerk, 25, 26. 

, Jonathan, 41. 

, Baph, 25. 

Gerrard, Miles, gent., 21, 221. 
Gill, Madam, 162. 
Gilliam, John, gent., 41. 
Gillibrand, Mary, 165. 
Girlington, Lady, 91. 
Glossop, Raphe, 143. 
Gloyer, John, 127. 
Goate, Mary, 55. 
Goddard, James, 115. 
Goffe, Colonel, 43. 
Goodwin, Robert, Esq., 110. 
Gorton, Edward, 143. 
Gousil, Symon de, 180. 
Gousul, Sir Simon de, 3, 181. 

, Simon de, 2. 

Gratrioke, Henry, 165. 
Greatres, Thomas, 81. 
GreaYes, Thomas, 143. 
Green, Alexander, gent., 41. 

, Isaac, gent., 14. 

Greene, Mr. Alexander, 66. 

, Ralph, gent., 129, 234. 

, Roger, of Congleton, 122, 124. 



Greenehanlgh, Thomas, Esq., 97. 
Grelle, Robert, 2. 
Grotton, Robert de, 193. 
Grimshaw, Mr., 162. 
Guildhonses, the, 8-5, 179-182. 
Gylsford, Miles, 73. 
Garner, Katharine, 55. 

Haffhtone, Badulphus, genk, £21. 

Hale, Adam, 80. 

Hall, Isaac, 138, 142, 143. 

, Mr., clerk, curate of Birch, 145, 154, 

, James, gent., 88. 

, James, 116-119. 

Halle, John, 107, 142, 148. 

Halliwell, Ewen, 84. 

, Richard, gent., 41. 

Hampson, Daniel, 166. 

Hardey, Elizabeth, 80. 

Hardman, John, 36, 165. 

Hardy, Henry, gent., 129, 234. 

, Robert, gent., 129, 234. 

Harewode, Alexander de, 181. 

, Gilbert de, 181. 

Hanson, John, clerk, 60, 64. 

Harmer, Samuel, gent., 41. 

Harrison, James, 165. 

Harter, George Gardner, clerk, curate of 
Birch, 153-155. 

Hartley, Edward, 107. 

, John, Esq., 41. 

, John, gent., 41. 

, John, 10. 

, Thomas, 49, 138, 142, 144. 

Haselum, Hugh de, 6, 184, 185. 

Hathersage, Matthew de, 2, 4-6, 70. 

Hatirseg', Matthew de, 184. 

Haughton, John, 78. 

, Ralph, gent, 21, 129, 234. 

Hay'sege, Matthew, 179, 228. 

Haward, Alice, will of, 70. 

, Samuel, 70. 

Haworth, Edmund, gent., 88. 

Haydock, Matthew de, seneschal of Sal- 
ford, 182, 225, 226. 

Hazlewood, Miss Hannah, 169. 

Hea, William de, 232. 

Healdhouses, vide Ghiildhouses. 

Heeton, William de, 183, 184. 

Heginbothom, Beulah, 64. 

, Cassandra, 64. 

, Henry, 64. 

, Joane, 63, 64. 

, William, 68, 64. 



246 



INDEX. 



Heginbothom, William, the younger, 63; 

will of, 64. 
Hesketh, Rer. Robert, 168, 169. 

, Thomas, Esq., 21, 129, 221, 234, 237. 

Heth, Edward, 17, 199. 

, William, 17, 199. 

Heton, Thomas de, 180, 181. 
Hey, Anne, 86. 

, Ellis, gent., 86, 88, 89. 

Heylde, William, 8, 188. 

Heyrick, Richard, warden of Manchester, 

4, 93, 146. 
Heyton, William de, 224. 
Heywood, Peter, gent., 129, 234, 237. 

, Peter, 118. 

Higgen, Elizabeth, 73. 

, Mr. Thomas, 73. 

Higinbotom, Martha, 39. 

, William, 39. 

Higson, Mr. John, 172. 
HiU, Elizabeth, 120. 
Hilton, William, 229, 230. 
Hindley, Robert, gent., 21, 221. 
Hobson, George, 167. 

, John, 142, 166. 

— , John, jun., 143. 
, Raphe, gent., 133. 

, Robert, 130, 235. 

, Thomas, 143. 

Hoghton, Captain, 91. 

, Sir Gilbert, 90, 91. 

, Lady, 91. 

, Mr. Thomas, 91. 

Holand, Cecily, 83. 

, James, 79. 

Holcroft, Ellena, 98. 

, Thomas, Esq., 98. 

Holford, John, Esq., 172. 

, Thomas, Esq., 5. 

Holland, Colonel, 91. 

, Rev. John, 169. 

, Richard, Esq., 132. 

Hollinworth, Mr., of Manchester, 146. 

, Richard, clerk, 60. 

Holond, Richard de, 225, 226. 
Holt, Matilda del, 6, 7, 185, 188. 

, Mr., of Stubley, 90. 

, Thomas de, 197, 200, 233, 234. 

Honeford, Richard de, 121, 188, 231, 282. 

, William de, 186. 

Honford, Agnes de, 7, 188. 

, Geoffrey de, 7, 188. 

, Henry de, 7, 188. 

, William de, 7, 14, 187, 188. 



Hoppewode, Adam de, 197. 
Houghton, Rev. John, 169. 

, Rer. Pendleburr, 170. 

, Raphe, 80. 

, Sir Richard, 94. 

Houlme, George, 80. 
Hoult, John, 142. 
Hudson, Beulah, 64. 

, Henry, 108. 

, Raphe, 98. 

Hughes, Henry, 142, 143. 

, Thomas, 165. 

Hull, Cecilia del, 191. 
Hulm, Galfridus de, 224. 
Holme, Adam, 143. 

, Charles, 63. 

, David, 63. 

, Edward, 165. 

, Francis Philips, clerk, curate of 

Birch, 153, 155. 

, George, 81. 

, John, 165. 

, Laurence, 212. 

, Obadiah, 161, 163. 

, Mr. Robert, of Reddish, 80. 



-, Thomas, 165. 
-, William, 165. 



Hulton, Adam de, 121, 281. 

, Elizabeth, 78. 

, John de, 180, 182, 188, 193, 206, 

224-226. 

, John de, of Farnworth, 206. 

, Richard de, 180, 182, 188, 193, 224. 

, Thomas de, rector of Bury, 205, 206. 

, Robert de, 6, 184, 185. 

, William de, 121, 281. 

, William, 78. 

Hunt, John, 142, 143, 216, 219, 220. 

, Margaret, 216. 

, Rauff, 216. 

, William, 209. 

Hyde, Mr., clerk, 39. 

, Robert, 168. 

Hygen, Anthony, clerk, dean of Ripon, 

will of, 73, 82, 84, 85, 88. 

, Edward, 73, 82. 

, Elizabeth, 73. 

, George, 73, 82, 84. 

, John, 73. 

, Robert, 73. 

, Thomas, will of, 78. 

Hyndsone, Jenet, 80. 

Ivo, Brother, canon of Beauchief abbey. 



INDEX. 



247 



Jackeson, Thomas, 214. 
Jackson, Richard, 83. 

.Robert, 117, 11 & 

, William, 32, 41. 

Jankens, Richard, 80. 
Janney, Thomas, 142, 144. 
Jepson, Alice, 77, 78. 

, Mr., 57. 

Jepsonne, John, 77. 

Jerusalem, Knights Hospitallers of, 12-15, 

189-191, 222. 
Jersey, Peter, 69. 
Jobson, William, 143. 
Johnson, John, 83. 

, Mrs. Margaret, 168. 

, Johnson, Richard, 142, 143. 

-, Robert, 31. 



Jolley, Mr., 38. 

Jones, Edmund, clerk, 60. 

Kay, Frances, 131. 
, John, 86. 

, Richard, 131. 

Kaye, Thomas, gent., 129, 234. 
Kelsey, Colonel, 43. 
Kenion, Abram, 143. 

, M* Dorathie, 38, 49. 

, Joseph, 142, 143. 

Kenyon, Dorothy, 67. 

, Edward, B.D., rector of Prestwich, 

50. 

, George, sent., 129, 132, 234. 

, Ralph, of Gorton, 127. 

, Randull, 127. 

, Mr. Roger, M.P., 49. 

, Roger, of Parkhead, gent., 49. 

, Roger, clerk of the peace, 150, 160. 

Key, Corporal, 36. 
Kinsey, Anne, 87. 

, John, gent., 87, 183, 143. 

Kirsley, Jeremiah, 162. 
Knot, Elizabeth, 11. 
Knowles, Edmund, 142, 143. 
Kyrkhalgh, Laurence, 212, 213. 

Lacy, John, Esq., 131, 236. 
Laghokes, Hugh de, 192. 

, William de, 192, 198. 

Lagoe, Dorothy, 50, 65. 

, Waldiye, Esq., 50. 

Lambert, Lord, 48. 
Lancashire, James, 41. 
Lane, Thomas, Esq., 21. 
Langford, Edward, 166. 



Langford, Nicholas, 144. 

, Nicholas, Esq., 131, 236. 

, William, 144. 

Lawranoe, James, 21, 213. 

, Jane, 21, 213, 214. 

Lawton, John, of Lawton, Esq., 122. 
Leayer, William, of Darcy Leayer, 132. 
Leech, John, clerk, curate of Birch, 168, 

155. 
Lees, Agnes, 130, 235. 
Lees, Mr. John, 67. 
Leeze, James, 88. 
Leighe, Richard, gent., 129, 234. 
Lenny, Richard, gent., 88. 
Leya, John le, 184. 
Leylond, Henry, 211, 213. 
Leyrer, Alexander, gent., 129, 234. 
Lightbowne, James, 93. 
Lilly, Margaret, 117, 119. 
Lingard, Richard, clerk, curate of Birch, 

145, 154, 
Liyesey, Raph, 32. 
Lomax, Mr., 56. 

Longeford, Nicholaus de, 179, 180, 182. 
Longford, Henry, arm., 231. 

, Nicholas de, 2, 3, 4. 

, Sir Nicholas de, 72, 197, 200, 232, 

234. 

, Nigel de, 2. 

-, Noel de, 231, 232. 



Lonsdale, Miles, clerk, curate of Birch, 

153, 165. 
Loyd, Mrs., 162. 
Lyne, Roger, 165. 

Make, W., 165. 

Mamecestr', Galfiridus de, 181, 183, 184, 
187, 231, 232. 

, Henry de, 181, 185, 186. 

, Houlot de, 186. 

, Jordan de, 186, 231, 282. 

, Luke de, 183, 184, 231, 232. 

, Richard de, 194. 

, Robert de, 186, 231. 

, Symon de, 184, 231. 

, Thomas de, 187, 194, 231. 

Manchester, Geoffrey de, 5, 6, 121. 
, Geoffrey, dean of, 121. 

, Henry de, 6, 7. 

, Houlot de, 6. 

, Jordan de, 121. 

, Luke de, 5, 6. 

— - , Robert de, 7. 

, Robert, son of Symon de, 121. 



248 



INDEX. 



Manchester, Thomas, son of Geoffrey, son 
of Luke de, 121. 

, William de, 6, 7, 186, 186. 

Manifould, Jane, 148. 
Marchal, Henry de, 201. 

, Bichard le, 195. 

, Thomas le, 192, 193, 195. 

Markland, Thomas, gent., 21, 221. 
Harler, Robert, gent., 41. 
Marlor, Raphe, 144. 
Marshall, Miss, 159. 

, Mrs., 160. 

Martindale, Adam, clerk, 148. 
Mascy, Constance, 212, 213. 

, Edward, 212. 

, Hugh de, 181. 

, Bobert de, 181, 212, 213. 

Massey, Anne, 26. 

, Edward, gent., 26. 

, Hamnet, 26. 

, Henry, 63. 

, Isabel, 26, 39. 

, Joel, 26. 

, Katharine, 26. 



-, Margaret, 26. 
-, Handle, 26. 



Massie, Edward, gent., 27. 
Meadowcroft, Giles, gent., 94. 
Meanley, Bey. Bichard, 170. 
Meeke, William, clerk, 60. 
Mellor, William, 143. 
Middulton, Roger de, 191. 
Midilton, Roger de, 187, 188. 
Milkewalleslade, Ellen de, 16, 17, 121, 122, 

233. 

, John de, 17, 121, 122, 198, 233. 

, Bobert de, 16, 17, 121, 194, 195, 

198, 282-234. 
, Bobert de, the younger, 17, 121, 

198 233. 
Millington, Worral, 116, 118. 
Minshall, Mr. Thomas, 66. 
Molineuz, Lord, 90. 
Moore, Colonel Samuel, 110. 
More, Cecilia de la, 15. 

, Bichard de la, 14, 189, 190. 

, William de la, 15, 190. 

Morgan, Colonel, 108, 109. 
Morris, Lydia, 146. 

, William, clerk, 146. 

Morte, Adam, mayor of Preston, 91. 
Mosedon, Henry de, 7, 187. 
Mosley, Sir Edward, 11. 
, Bowland, Esq., 89. 



Mosley, Sir Nicholas, 89. 

, Oswald, gent., 25. 

Mosse, Anne, 83. 

, John, 83. 

, Bobert, 74. 

, William, 165. 

Moston, Bichard de, 179-182, 184, 187, 
192, 232. 

, William de, 224. 

Moulins, Roger de, 14. 
Mylkwalslade, Bobert de, 197. 

Naplouse, Garnier de, 14, 189. 
Neuton, John de, 201. 
Newoome, Mr., clerk, 64, 106, 160. 
Nicholson, Isaac, 165. 

, Balph, 138. 

— -, William, 142, 143, 166. 
Nield, Henry, gent., 41. 
Noreis, William le, 184. 
Norman, Elizabeth, 67, 145. 

, James, Esq., 67. 

, Sarah, 145. 

, Thomas, clerk, curate of Birch, 145, 

154. 
Norreis, Jordan, 191. 

, William le, 121, 231. 

Norris, Matthew, Esq., 114. 

, Winifred, 114. 

Norros, William de, 191. 
Norst, Jone, 123. 
Norton, William de, 191. 
Nuehyo, John, 208. 

Odcroft, John, 162. 
Offerton, Bobert, 165. 
Okell, Mrs., 162. 
Oldfelt, William, Esq., 99. 
Oldham, Alice, 166. 

, Bobert, 166. 

Olgreye, Thomas, 211. 

Ormerod, Oliyer, clerk, curate of Birch, 

154, 155. 
Ormeston, Adam de, 181. 
Ormond, James, Duke of, 101. 
Orrell, Elizabeth, 64. 

, Frances, 64. 

Ottiwell, Elizabeth, 27, 29, 31, 38, 39, 

65. 
, James, gent., 41. 

, Joseph, clerk, 27, 38, 39. 

Ottywell, Elizabeth, 55. 
- - ■ — , John, 55. 
Ouldam, George, 26. 



INDEX. 



249 



Ouldham, John, 41. 
Owen, Robert, gent., 41. 

Palgraye, Mary, 54. 

, Nathaniel, clerk, 64. 

Par, Henry de, 225, 226. 

Parkinson, Renolds, 66, 142, 144. 

Parte, John, 165. 

Patrick, Dr. Simon, bishop of Chichester, 

101. 
PWal, John, 127, 215. 
Pearson, John, 166. 

, Thomas, 166. 

Pedigrees: — 

Birch of Ardwick, 120. 

of Birch, 102. 

Dickenson of Birch, 105. 

Edge of Ruaholme, 12. 

Piatt of Piatt, 24. 

Siddall of Blade, 186. 

Worsley of Crompton, 68. 

of Piatt, 66. 

Peirson, John, 83. 
Pendlebury, Mary, 169. 
Penilbury, Elias de, 4, 181. 

, Bobert de, 181. 

- — , Roger de, 3, 180, 181. 
Pennilbury, Adam de, 191. 
Penruddocke, Captain, 112. 
Peploe, Elizabeth, 114. 

, John, 114. 

Perciyal, Widow, 143. 
Perepont, Richard de, 181. 
Persevall, Elizabeth, 80, 87. 
Peraivall, George, 80, 81. 

, John, 142, 143. 

, Richard, 142, 143. 

, Thomas, 142, 143. 

— — , Edmund, 107. 

Pilkington, Robert, Esq., 21, 221. 

Pilkinton, Alexander de, 181, 187, 191. 

Pilkynton, Sir Roger de, 193. 

Plat, Hugh de, 189. 

— , Roger de, of Holyngrere, 191. 

, William del, 227,229. 

Piatt, Adam del, 201. 

, Alonia del, 17, 201-204. 

, Amabilia del, 16, 191. 

, Amies, 21, 218. 

, Cecilia del, 15, 16, 191, 192. 

, Constance, 18-20, 206, 209, 211, 

212. 

, Edmund, 22, 23, 78, 80, 222. 

, Elizabeth, 21, 22, 77, 222. 



Piatt, Ellen del, 15, 16, 121, 192, 194, 195, 
197,233. 

, Ellen del, the younger, 16, 196, 196. 

, family o$ 12-24. 

, Geonrey del, 16, 191. 

, Geoffrey, 18, 208. 

, Henry del, 16, 16, 191, 194, 195. 

, Henry del, the younger, 16, 197. 

, Isabella, 21, 22, 222. 

, Jane, 20. 

, Joane, 22, 217, 218. 

, John, 18; indulgence granted to, 



by Pope Pius II., 19 : letters of affilia- 
tion addressed to, ibid., 20, 21, 22, 206, 
208, 209, 212-217, 220-222. 
— , John del, 16, 17, 194, 196, 198, 
200-203, 209. 

— , John del, the younger, 17, 208, 204. 
— , John, gent., 77. 
— , Katharine del, 17, 18, 206, 207, 209. 
— , Loreta del, 16, 200. 
— , Margaret del, 16, 17, 199, 200, 219. 
— , Nicholas del, 17, 201-206. 
— , Ralph, gent., 78. 
— , Richard, 20; letters of affiliation 
granted to, 21 ; inquisition p.m. of, 
ibid., 22, 207. 

— , Richard del, 15-17 ; will of; 18, 
193-198, 199, 200, 201, 206, 209. 
— , Robert del, 16 ; will of, 16\ 17, 121, 
192-195, 233, 234. 
-, Roger del, 15, 16, 192-195. 



-, William, 20, 214, 215, 220. 
Platte, Henry de la, 192. 

, John, 74. 

, Richard, 210-212, 216-222. 

— , Richard, sen., 215. 
Playford, George, 54, 55, 

, Henry, of Northrepps, 51. 

, John, 54, 55. 

, Mary, 61. 

, Nicholas, 64, 55. 

, Richard, 64. 

Podmore, Richard, 122, 123. 

Pomfret, George, 142, 143. 

Poole, Raphe, 66. 

Pope, William, 54, 55. 

Poynton, John de, 201. 

Prescot, George, 142. 

Preetewyche, Radulphus de, 208, 204. 

Preston, Captain, 91. 

Prestwich, Edmund, Esq., 10. 

, James de, 228, 229. 

, Mr., 90. 

K K 



250 



INDEX. 



Prestwiche, Radulphus, 207. 
Pride, Colonel, 108. 
Prowdeluffe, Radulphus, 212. 
Pursglove, Richard, 84. 
Purvey, Major, 91. 
Pye, Sir Walter, 111. 

Rabi, Jordan de, 186. 
Raddiff, Major, 93. 

, John de, of Ordsal, 202. 

, Radulphus de, 202, 204. 

Radcliffe, Sir Alexander, 90. 

, Robert, 143. 

f Sir William, 78. 

Radeclif, John de, of Chadderton, 
202. 

, Radulphus de, 204, 205. 

, Sir Ralph, 204, 205. 

Radeclivo, Richard de, 180, 181. 

, William de, 181, 188. 

RatcluTe, Edward, gent., 107. 

, Sarah, 107. 

Rathband, Nathaniel, clerk, 60. 

Rawlinge, Richard, minister, 83, 85. 

Rawson, Ralph, 101. 

Reade, Henry, 142. 

Redfern, John, 116. 

Reddish, Robert de, 71* 

Redich, James, 142, 144. 

, Matthew de, 181. 

-, Richard de, 187, 188. 



201, 



, Robert de, 183, 184. 

, Stephen de, 186. 

Rediche, George, 231. 
Redig\ Robert, 179. 
Rediot, Edward, 73. 
Redyche, Robert de, 224. 
Renshaw, Jonathan, 165. 
Richardson, Edward, 98. 

, George, 41. 

, Thomas, 166. 

Richebery, John, clerk, 18, 208. 
Ridehorn, Richard, 232. 
Ridge, Jane, 64. 
Ridinges, Abednego, 142. 
— , John, 143. 
Ridings, John, 41. 
Rigbie, Edward, Esq., 88. 
Rigby, Alexander, Esq., 98. 

, Anne, 98. 

, Cicely, 25. 

, Nicholas, 25. 

Righway, Sarah, 99. 
Robinson, Alice, 98. 



Robinson, John, Esq., 98. 

Rogers, Thomas, 56. 

Rotheram, Dr. Cale, 169, 170. 

Rothwell, Mr. Philip, 153. 

Rowbotham, Edward, 166. 

Rowley, Geoffrey, 123. 

Rudd, John, 212. 

Rupert, Prince, 91. 

Ruschebery, J., 208. 

Rusholme, township of; derivation of 
name, 1 ; the several hamlets of which 
it consists, ibid.; its early proprietors, 
2-24 ; its more recent possessors, 26- 
136 ; erection and endowment of Birch 
chapel, 137-141 ; ground-plan of 
chapel, 142 ; hamlets connecting 
themselves with the chapel, 143; its 
ecclesiastical relations, 144; curates of 
chapel, 145-155 ; description of chapel, 
155 ; chapel rebuilt, 156-159 ; erection 
of Trinity church and St. John's, 
Longsight, 159; origin of dissent in 
the township, 160 ; erection of Piatt 
chapel, 161-164 ; ground-plan of Piatt 
chapel, 165; endowment provided, 
166-168; list of ministers, 168-170; 
population returns of township, 170; 
valuation of township, 171 ; its area, 
ibid.; Roman road, 172 ; Nicker ditch, 
172-175. 

Rusholme, Henry de, 5, 6. 

Rushton, Edward, 171. 

Russohun, Henry de, 184. 

Russum, Henry de, 183-185. 

Ryland, Peter, 162. 

Sacheverell, Philippe, 128. 

, Ralph, 128. 

Schetham, Galfridus de, 232. 
Scholar, Ruth, 67. 
Scocroft, Richard, gent., 129, 234. 
Schofield, Anthony, 11. 
Scholes, Joseph, gent., 88. 

, Master, clerk, 64. 

Scoles, Hugh, capellanus, 207. 
Seaton, -Major-General Sir John, 91. 
Seddon, Abraham, 132. 
Sedon, Randle, 144. 
Sergeant, Cassandra, 64. 

, Clemence, 67. 

>, Hannah, 67. 



, Peter, gent., 64. 

, Thomas, gent., 67. 

Shalcross, James, 188. 



INDEX. 



251 



Shelm'dyn, Nichols, 210. 
Shelmerdine, Edmund, 87. 

, Elijah, 166. 

, John, 142, 148, 166. 

f Mazy, 37. 

, Nioholas, 20. 

, Peter, 68. 
, Thomas, 28, 98, 187, 142, 144, 163, 

166. 

, Thomas, sen., 144. 

. William, 142, 144. 

Sholerosse, Steven, 142. 

Shotellesworth, Roger de, the younger, 

197. 
Sidal, Adam, 144. 
Siddall, Alice, 127. 

, Anne, 127. 

— , Edward, 10, 122-127; inquisition 

of, 12&-131, 134. 

, Elizabeth, 126-127, 180. 

, Ellen, 127. 

, Genet, 127. 

, George, 128, 180-184, 142, 144. 

, George, gent., 27. 

, John, 183, 163. 

, John, gent., 138, 138, 166, 167, 

172. 

, Rev. Joseph Lawton, 170. 

, Katharine, 132, 138. 

, Martha, 27. 

, Mr., of Slade, 187, 138, 142-144, 

162, 171. 

, of Slade, family of, 121-136. 

, Thomas, 126-127, 180, 133, 138. 

, Thomas, of Burnage, gent, 167. 

, Richard, 10, 122 j will of, 124-127. 

1 William, 127. 

Skippon, Major-General, 43. 
Slade, Bmmota del, 17, 203, 204. 

Hall, description of, 134. 

, Hugh de, 228, 229. 

, John del, 17, 203, 228, 229. 

, Jone, 123, 124, 128. 

, Rauffe, gent., 122-124, 128. 

, Thomas, marriage-covenant of, 122- 

124,128. 
Smethton, Elias de, prior of the Knights 

Hospitallers in England, 16, 191. 
Smith, Adam, 86. 

, Edmund, 142, 144. 

, John, 144, 166. 

, Mary, 106. 

, Richard, 143. 

, Thomas, 144. 



Sondeforth, Roger, 218. 
Sparrow, Major, 91. 
Stampe, M* 66. 

, Philip, gent., 41. 

Standish, Richard, Esq., 142. 
Stanelay, Sir Ralph de, 206. 
Stapleton, Bryan, Esq., 110. 
Starkie, John, 92. 
Stokeport, Jordan de, clerk, 282. 
Stonehewer, John, 27, 87, 38. 

, Martha, 27, 37. 

, Mary, 87. 

Stoppard, Joseph, 144. 
Strangeways, John de, 203. 
Strangwayes, Katharine, 8. 

, Philip, Esq., 8. 

, Thomas, 8. 

, William, gent., 8, 9. 

Strangwaies, John, 9. 
Strangweis, Philip, Esq., 9. 

, Thomas, 9. 

Streete, William, 143. 

Stretford, Hugh de, 181. 

Strongwas, Galfridus de, 186, 187, 226, 

227. 
Syddall, Edward, of Slade, 234-286. 

, Elizabeth, 286, 236. 

, George, 235, 236. 

1 Thomas, 285. 

Sykes, Miss Hannah, of Leeds, 168. 

Taillour, John le, of Manchester, 194, 195. 
Talbot, Mr. George, 91. 

, Sir John, 91. 

Talior, Robert, 142, 148. 

Tarlton, Thomas, gent., 21, 221. 

Taylor, Jacob, 148. 

, Samuel, clerk, curate of Birch, 151, 

152, 165. 

, Widow, 143. 

Tele, Agnes, 191. 

, John, 191. 

Teliare, Edward, 80. 

Tetlow, Elizabeth, 99. 

, John, clerk, curate of Birch, 99, 152, 

155. 
Thorneley, Handle, 162. 
Thorp, Junes, 166. 
Thropp, Anne, 11. 

, William, 11. 

Tildesley, Edward, Esq., 10. 

, Mr., 90. 

, Thurstan, 229, 280. 

Timperley 1 , Thomas, 142, 143. 



252 



INDEX. 



Touchet, Mr., of Manchester, 170. 
Trafford, Edmund, 207. 

, Edmund de, 206. 

, Sir Edmund, 4. 

, Geoffirey de, 5, 182. 

, Henry de, 3-7, 71, 179-182, 185, 

186, 194, 195, 197, 204, 224, 282. 
-, Sir Henry de, 2, 4, 5, 179, 182, 193, 



224, 232, 234. 
— , Trafford, John de, 206. 
— , Nicholas de, 5, 182. 
— , Ralph de, 181. 

— , Richard de, 2, 5, 71, 182, 184, 185, 
192, 224. 

— , Richard de, rector of Cheadle, 180, 
182. 
-, Robert de, 5, 71, 181, 182, 197, 224, 



232, 234. 

— , Thomas, 207. 

-, Thomas de, 5, 182, 200, 233, 234. 



Travis, George, 23. 

, Widow, 165. 

Travise, Richard, 142, 144. 

, Thomas, 142, 144. 

Twyford, Robert, clerk, ourate of Birch, 

152, 155. 
— , William, clerk, ourate of Birch, 152, 

155. 
Tyrer, Robert, 116. 

Ver, Gilbert de, 190. 
Vost, Richard, 166. 
, Thomas, 166. 

Walker, Elizabeth, 27. 

, George, 27. 

, James, 116. 

, John, 116, 117, 119. 

, Robert, 163, 165. 

, Thomas, 30, 230. 

Walton, Colonel, 96. 
West, Thomas, Lord De la Warre, 7. 
Whalley, Commissary-General, 43. 
Wharton, Lord, 90, 91. 
Whelocke, Richard, 122. 
Whelwrighte, John, 80. 
Whitaker, Mr., 63. 

, Rev. Mr. John, 166, 169. 

, Richard, 166, 167. 

Whiteacres, Richard, capellanua, 227-229. 
Whitehead, Edmund, gent., 88. 
Whitelegg, James, 166. 

, Thomas, 166, 167. 

Whitelegge, Rev. William, 170. 



Whiticar, Edmund, 142, 143. 
Whittaker, Richard, 161, 163, 165. 

, Widow, 165. 

Whitworth, John, gent., 41. 

Wigan, Elizabeth, 146. 

, John, clerk, curate of Biroh, 140, 

145, 146, 154. 

, Lydia, 146. 

Wilde, Mr., of Rochdale, 56, 57. 
Wildman, Major, 44. 
Wilkensone, Henry, 80. 
Wilkinson, Anne, 99. 

, John, 142, 144. 

, John, jun., 142. 

— , Richard, 165. 

, Thomas, 66. 

Williamson, Widow, 142, 143. 
Willinson, Ellen, 65. 
Wilson, Peter, 55. 
Wilsone, Margaret, 80. 
Wilton, Gilbert de, 190. 
Wimbell, Nicholas, 143. 
Wolstenholme, Francis, gent., 88. 
Wolwerke, Thomas, 142, 143. 

, Edward, 98. 

Wood, Francis, 144, 162, 165. 
— , Francis, the elder, 163. 

, James, 118. 

, John, 144. 

, Mary, 118, 119. 

, Richard, gent, 129, 284. 

, William, 165. 

Woorthington, James, gent., 221. 
Woosencroft, Daniel, 115. 
Woosencrofte, Martha, 165. 
Workedeley, Riohard de, 187. 
Workesley, Edmund de, 206. 

, Elias de, 25. 

, Robert, ar., 229, 280. 

Worsley, Alice, 70. 

, Charles, 25-27, 30, 81, 35-87, 50, 

52, 58, 61, 64-67, 70, 142, 144, 162. 

, Charles, gent., 14. 

-, Mr. Charles, 29, 80, 38, 62, 63, 162, 



166. 

— , Lieut-Col. Charles, 37, 38. 
— , Major-General Charles, M.P., 38, 
39 ; memoir of, 39-51 ; obtains a com- 
mission in the parliamentary army, 89 j 
raises a regiment, ibid.; appointed to 
the command of Cromwell's own regi- 
ment of foot, 40 ; is present at the dis- 
solution of the long parliament, ibidj 
takes possession of the speaker's maee* 



INDEX. 



253 



ibid.; elected M.P. for Manchester, 41 ; 
appointed to the oommand of the army 
in the counties of Lancaster, Chester 
and Stafford, 42; proceeds to eject 
scandalous ministers and schoolmasters, 
44; disarms papists and malignants, 
ibid.-, carries into execution the laws 
against drunkenness, swearing and pro- 
fanity, 45 ; prohibits horse-racing in 
Cheshire, ibid.; proposes to the Pro- 
tector to extend the taxation of delin- 
quents' estates to incomes of £50 per 
annum, 46 ; sequestrates the estates of 
delinquents, ibid.; much troubled by 
the sect of Quakers, ibid.; suppresses 
alehouses, ibid.; summoned to London 
by the Protector, 47; where, on his 
arrival, he dies and is buried in West- 
minster abbey, ibid.; his character, as 
drawn by his contemporaries, 48 ; pro- 
vision made for his widow and ohiloren 
by the Protector and his council, ibid.; 
alleged indignity offered to his remains, 
49; his family connexions, ibid.; his 
portrait, sword and fae-simile of auto- 
graph, 60, 61, 68, 66, 67, 171. 

Worsley, Charles, Esq., 167. 

— — , dharles, clerk, will of, 64. 

, Charles Carill, Esq., 67, 189. 

, Ciceley, 25. 

, Clemence, 67. 

, dementia, 62, 68, 67. 

, Deborah, 62, 68, 67. 

, Dorothie, 38, 60, 66, 70. 

, Edward, 25, 26, 39, 142, 144. 

, Edward, clerk, 27, 29, 31, 39, 61- 

56, 58, 65. 

, Elizabeth, 25, 27, 88, 65. 

, Elizabeth Carill, 67. 

, family of, 25-70. 

, George, 27, 29, 80, 81, 87, 89, 58, 

69, 65, 66, 138, 171. 
Isabel, 26, 39. 
John Carill, Esq., 67, 168. 



Worsley, John Carill, clerk, 67. 

, Martha, 27-29, 80, 85, 39, 49, 63, 

65,66. 

, Mary, 27) 36, 87, 49, 52, 54, 65, 65. 

, Mr., 165, 170, 171. 

, Mr., of Heild House, 171. 

, Nicholas, 26. 

, Otes, 26. 

, Peter, 62, 68, 67, 166, 167. 

-, Ralph, gent., 4, 11, 14, 28, 25-27 ; 



will of, 28-32 (vide also 61-63), 35, 
37-39, 49, 51-63, 55, 57-59, 61, 64-66, 
70, 138, 144, 149, 160-168, 166. 

, Raphe, 137, 142. 

, Raphe, clerk, 27, 29, 81, 67-60, 65. 

, Roger, 88, 50, 66, 70. 

, Sarah, 89, 49, 62, 68; will of, 64- 

66, 70. 

, Thomas, 87. 

, Thomas Carill, Esq., 67, 159, 171. 

Worthington, Esther, 68. 
, James, gent., 21. . 

, John de, 193. 

, John, 166. 

, Robert, 166, 167. - 

Wosencroft, James, 142. 

Wright, John le, oapellanus, 227-229. 

, Thomas, clerk, curate of Birch, 

140, 152, 155. 

Wrigkv, Henry, 97. 

, Samuel, 166. 

Wroe, Richard, D.D., warden of Man- 
chester, 150, 152. 

Wynn, Sir Richard, 91. 

Wyrkesworthe, Nicholas de, clerk, 198, 
224. 

Wyrley, Humphrey, Esq., 102, 104, 152. 

, Mrs., 103. 

, Sybil, 102. 

Wytfeld, Alice de, 71, 226. 

, Henry de, 71, 225-227. 

Yieldhous es, vide G-uildhousee. 



Jfltota, 



Charles Shnms and Co., Printers, Manchester. 



< 



ERRATA. 

Page 7, line 24, for William the Honford read William de Honford. 
„ 44, line 24, for of read of. 
„ 49, last line (note), for of Piatt read at Piatt. 

„ 66, Worsley pedigree, for dan. of Hudson read dau. of. Hudson. 

„ 72, line 16, for 16th of April read 12th of April. 

„ 89, line 80, for a like payment read by a like payment. 



DIRECTIONS TO BINDER. 

Pedigree of Worsley of Piatt to face page 67 

„ Birch of Birch „ 102 

„ Birch of Ardwick „ 120 



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